Wireless power supply system, power transmission device, power receiving device, mobile object, and server
The contactless power supply system addresses the challenge of managing power supply information by using a server to track and monitor power transfer between mobile bodies and power transmitting devices, facilitating easy identification of abnormalities and billing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024138741
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-05
Smart Images

Figure 2026036223000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a contactless power supply system, a power transmitting device, a power receiving device, a mobile object, and a server. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, electric mobility such as electric cars, electric kick scooters, and unmanned, autonomous electric vehicles has attracted attention, and various research and development efforts have been carried out. In order to popularize such electric cars and other vehicles, issues such as the cost and weight of the batteries installed, the length of power supply time, the difficulty of recycling, and increased labor costs have become problems. One method for solving these issues is to consider technology that can supply power to electric vehicle batteries unmanned and contactlessly (wirelessly).
[0003] Such non-contact power supply methods include, for example, spatial transmission, electric field coupling, and magnetic field coupling. Spatial transmission methods transmit power non-contact by using electromagnetic waves propagating between a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. While spatial transmission methods can transmit power over long distances, they have the characteristics of low power receiving efficiency and low power handling capacity.
[0004] The electric field coupling method transmits power contactlessly by using a capacitor formed between the power transmitting electrode and the power receiving electrode as a coupler and transmitting power through space as electric field energy (for example, Patent Document 1).The magnetic field coupling method transmits power contactlessly by using the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil as a coupler and operating like a transformer (for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
[0005] Compared to spatial transmission methods, electric field coupling and magnetic field coupling have the advantage of a shorter power receiving range, while also offering higher power receiving efficiency and power output, and are attracting attention as mainstream methods for contactless power supply to electric mobility. Among these, the electric field coupling method does not require the installation of expensive coils as in the magnetic field coupling method, making it possible to implement it at low cost and suitable for contactless power supply, which requires numerous power transmission facilities over a wide area. In recent years, with the spread of electric cars and electric kick scooters, contactless power supply using the electric field coupling method for electric mobility has been attracting increasing attention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-068681 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-146141 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-088513 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-086784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0007] Incidentally, when power transmission facilities (power transmission devices) capable of supplying power are installed in various locations and the number of electric mobility vehicles (power receiving devices) to be supplied with power becomes enormous, stable system operation requires an administrator to accurately grasp information related to power supply (power supply information), such as whether wireless power supply is operating normally at each location, how much power is being supplied, and which power receiving device is receiving power from which power transmission device. However, conventional wireless power transfer systems have not had a mechanism for administrators to easily grasp the power supply information related to the power supply for the combinations of wireless power supply between power transmission devices and power receiving devices, which change from time to time.
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a contactless power supply system, a power transmitting device, a power receiving device, a mobile body, and a server that can easily grasp power supply information related to the power supply even if the combination of contactless power supply between a power transmitting device and a power receiving device changes from time to time. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] In order to achieve this object, a first aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system comprising: a power receiving device provided in each of a plurality of mobile bodies, which receives power for charging a storage battery of the corresponding mobile body; and a plurality of power transmitting devices which transmit high-frequency power contactlessly to the power receiving devices, and which performs contactless power supply by transmitting the high-frequency power from the one power transmitting device to the power receiving device possessed by the one mobile body when the one mobile body stops at a predetermined position corresponding to one power transmitting device, the system comprising: a server provided on a network which manages the contactless power supply performed between each of the plurality of power transmitting devices and each of the power receiving devices provided on the plurality of mobile bodies; and a transmitting device which, when the one mobile body stops at the predetermined position, transmits to the server first unique information which is unique information assigned to the one mobile body or the power receiving device of the mobile body, second unique information which is unique information assigned to the one power transmitting device, and information regarding power supply from the one power transmitting device to the power receiving device of the one mobile body.
[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the contactless power supply system according to the first aspect, the server comprises a server receiving unit that receives information transmitted from the transmitting device, a memory unit that stores the information received by the server receiving unit and / or information that has undergone predetermined processing, and a server output unit that outputs information based on the information stored in the memory unit.
[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to the second aspect, wherein the server includes an abnormality judgment unit that judges an abnormality in contactless power supply from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device based on information received by the server receiving unit and / or information stored in the memory unit, and when an abnormality in the contactless power supply is judged by the abnormality judgment unit, the server output unit outputs information for identifying the power transmitting device in which an abnormality in contactless power supply has been judged and the power receiving device or a mobile body having the power receiving device, based on the first unique information and the second unique information associated with the information on which the abnormality has been judged.
[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the server exists in a cloud and is configured to be able to transmit information relating to management of the contactless power supply to a client terminal.
[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless power supply system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the transmitting device transmits to the server information relating to the power supply, including at least power amount information that can be used to determine the amount of power required for the charging.
[0014] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a wireless power supply system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the power transmission device generates the high-frequency power using power supplied from a commercial power source, and the transmission device transmits to the server the power amount information including at least information related to the power supplied to the power transmission device from the commercial power source.
[0015] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the power transmission device comprises an AC / DC adapter that converts power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power, and a high-frequency power source that converts the DC power converted by the AC / DC adapter into the high-frequency power, and the transmission device transmits to the server, as the power amount information, at least information related to the DC power input to the high-frequency power source.
[0016] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the power receiving device includes a conversion circuit that converts high-frequency power received from the power transmitting device into power suitable for charging the storage battery, and the transmitting device transmits to the server the power amount information including at least information related to the power supplied from the conversion circuit to the storage battery.
[0017] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the transmitting device transmits to the server information relating to the power supply including at least power supply status information, which is information that can be used to understand the power supply status.
[0018] A tenth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the power transmitting device comprises a high frequency power supply that generates and outputs the high frequency power, and a control unit that turns on or off the output of the high frequency power from the high frequency power supply, and the transmitting device transmits to the server as the power supply status information at least information indicating whether the output of the high frequency power is on or off.
[0019] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the power transmission device includes a phase detection unit that detects a phase difference between a high-frequency voltage and a high-frequency current of the high-frequency power output from the high-frequency power source, and the control unit turns off the output of the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source when the phase difference detected by the phase detection unit is not within a predetermined range.
[0020] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the power receiving device comprises a power measuring unit that measures the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery, and a power receiving side wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery measured by the power measuring unit to the power transmitting device, the power transmitting device comprises a power transmitting side wireless communication unit that receives information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery transmitted by the power receiving side wireless communication unit, and the control unit controls the on and off of the output of the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source based on the information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery received by the power transmitting side wireless communication unit.
[0021] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein the power transmitting device comprises a high frequency power supply that generates and outputs the high frequency power, and a phase detection unit that detects a phase difference between the high frequency voltage and high frequency current of the high frequency power output from the high frequency power supply, and the transmitting device transmits to the server as the power supply status information at least information indicating the phase difference detected by the phase detection unit.
[0022] A 14th aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to 13th aspects, comprising: a receiving-side wireless communication unit provided in the power receiving device or the mobile body, which transmits receiving-side information including at least the first unique information wirelessly to the power transmitting device; and a transmitting-side wireless communication unit provided in the power transmitting device, which receives the receiving-side information transmitted by the receiving-side wireless communication unit, wherein the transmitting device is provided in the power transmitting device.
[0023] A 15th aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to 13th aspects, comprising: a power transmitting side wireless communication unit provided in the power transmitting device, which transmits power transmitting side information including at least the second unique information wirelessly to the mobile body; and a power receiving side wireless communication unit provided in the power receiving device or the mobile body, which receives the power transmitting side information transmitted by the power transmitting side wireless communication unit, wherein the transmitting device is provided in the power receiving device or the mobile body.
[0024] A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the power transmitting device transmits the high-frequency power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner using an electric field coupling method.
[0025] A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a power transmitting device used in the contactless power feeding system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects.
[0026] An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a power receiving device used in a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects.
[0027] A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a moving object having the power receiving device according to the eighteenth aspect.
[0028] A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a server used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects. [Effects of the Invention]
[0029] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a contactless power supply system includes a plurality of mobile objects each provided with a power receiving device. A plurality of power transmitting devices are also provided. When a mobile object stops at a predetermined position corresponding to a power transmitting device, contactless power supply is performed in which high-frequency power is transmitted from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device of the mobile object in a contactless manner. A storage battery of the mobile object is charged by this contactless power supply. A server provided on a network manages contactless power supply performed between each of the plurality of power transmitting devices and each of the power receiving devices provided on the mobile objects. When a mobile object stops at a predetermined position, the server receives first unique information, which is unique information assigned to the mobile object or the power receiving device of the mobile object, second unique information, which is unique information assigned to the power transmitting device, and information regarding power supply from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device of the mobile object. This allows the administrator to easily understand which mobile object or power receiving device and power transmitting device are performing contactless power feeding, and also to easily understand the information on contactless power feeding between them, from the first unique information, the second unique information, and the information on power feeding transmitted to the server. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power feeding between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device changes from time to time, it is possible to easily understand the power feeding information on those power feeds.
[0030] The contactless power transfer system according to the second aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to the first aspect. That is, in the server, a server receiving unit receives information transmitted from the transmitting device, i.e., first unique information assigned to a mobile object or a power receiving device that is a target of contactless power transfer, second unique information assigned to a power transmitting device, and information related to power transfer performed between them. The information received by the server receiving unit and / or information obtained by performing predetermined processing on that information is stored in a storage unit. Information based on the information stored in the storage unit is output from the server by a server output unit. This has the effect that, even if the number of power transmitting devices and mobile objects having power receiving devices increases, it is possible to easily ascertain which mobile object or power receiving device is transferring contactless power to the power transmitting device and information related to the contactless power transfer between them, simply by accessing the server.
[0031] The contactless power transfer system according to the third aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to the second aspect. That is, in the server, an abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality in contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to one power receiving device based on information received by a server receiving unit and / or information stored in a storage unit. When the abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality in contactless power transfer, the server output unit outputs information for identifying the one power transmitting device in which the abnormality in contactless power transfer has been determined and the one power receiving device or a mobile object having the one power receiving device, based on the first unique information and the second unique information associated with the information on which the abnormality has been determined. This has the effect that, when an abnormality in contactless power transfer occurs, an administrator or the like can easily identify the power transmitting device, the power receiving device, or the mobile object in which the abnormality has occurred and can take immediate action.
[0032] The contactless power supply system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to third aspects: Since information related to management of contactless power supply is transmitted from a server in the cloud to a client terminal, an administrator or a user of a mobile object can easily grasp the information related to management of contactless power supply from the client terminal.
[0033] The contactless power transfer system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. That is, as information related to power transfer, at least power amount information, which is information that can be used to determine the amount of power required to charge a storage battery, is transmitted from the transmitting device to the server together with the first fixed information and the second fixed information. This has the effect of making it easy to determine the amount of power required to charge a power receiving device of a mobile object in contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to the mobile object, even if the combination of contactless power transfer between a power transmitting device and a power receiving device changes from time to time. Another effect is that this amount of power can be used to establish a billing system for recipients of power transfer (owners of mobile objects or those who rent and use mobile objects).
[0034] The contactless power transfer system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to the fifth aspect. That is, the power transmitting device generates high-frequency power to be transmitted to the power receiving device using power supplied from a commercial power source. Then, at least information related to the power supplied from the commercial power source to the power transmitting device is transmitted to the server by the transmitting device as power amount information. This has the effect of making it easy to grasp the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source in contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to a power receiving device of one mobile object. Another effect is that it can lead to the establishment of a billing system for recipients of power (owners of mobile objects or those who rent and use mobile objects) based on the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source.
[0035] The contactless power transfer system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to the fifth or sixth aspect. Specifically, in the power transmitting device, power supplied from a commercial power source is converted into DC power by an AC / DC adapter, and the DC power is then converted into RF power by a RF power source. At least information related to the DC power input to the RF power source is transmitted to a server by a transmitting device as power amount information. This has the effect of making it easy to grasp the amount of DC power used to generate RF power for contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to one power receiving device of a mobile object. Another effect is that it can lead to the establishment of a billing system for recipients of power (owners of mobile objects or those who rent and use mobile objects) based on the amount of DC power used to generate the RF power.
[0036] The contactless power transfer system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects. That is, in the power receiving device, high-frequency power received contactlessly from the power transmitting device is converted by a conversion circuit into power suitable for charging a storage battery. Then, at least information related to the power supplied from the conversion circuit to the storage battery is transmitted to a server by the transmitting device as power amount information. This has the effect of making it easy to grasp the amount of power charged into the storage battery in contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to a power receiving device of one mobile object. Another effect is that it can lead to the establishment of a billing system for recipients of power supply (owners of mobile objects or persons who rent and use mobile objects) based on the amount of power charged into the storage battery.
[0037] The contactless power supply system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. That is, as information related to power supply, at least power supply state information, which is information that can be used to grasp the power supply state, is transmitted from the transmitting device to the server together with the first fixed information and the second fixed information. This has the effect of making it possible to easily grasp the power supply state of each contactless power supply even if the combination of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device changes from time to time.
[0038] The contactless power transfer system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the contactless power transfer system according to the ninth aspect. That is, in the power transmitting device, high-frequency power is generated and output by a high-frequency power source. The output of high-frequency power from this high-frequency power source is controlled to be on or off by a control unit. Then, at least information indicating whether the output of high-frequency power is on or off is transmitted from the transmitting device to the server as power supply status information. This has the effect of making it easy to know whether contactless power transfer from one power transmitting device to a power receiving device of one mobile object is being performed or not, from the information indicating whether the output of high-frequency power is on or off.
[0039] The contactless power transfer system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to the tenth aspect. Specifically, in the power transmitting device, a phase detection unit detects a phase difference between a high-frequency voltage and a high-frequency current of high-frequency power output from a high-frequency power source. If this phase difference is not within a predetermined range, the control unit turns off the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source. As a result, if the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and the high-frequency current is within the predetermined range, it can be assumed that contactless power transfer from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device of a mobile object is being performed without any problems. However, if the phase difference is not within the predetermined range, it is assumed that an abnormality may be occurring in the contactless power transfer, and the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source is turned off, thereby terminating contactless power transfer from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device of a mobile object. Furthermore, since information that the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source has been turned off is transmitted to a server, it is possible to easily grasp that the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source has been turned off for contactless power transfer from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device of a mobile object.
[0040] The contactless power transfer system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effects achieved by the contactless power transfer systems according to the tenth or eleventh aspects. That is, in the power receiving device, the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery are measured by the power measuring unit. Information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery measured by the power measuring unit is transmitted wirelessly to the power transmitting device by the power receiving wireless communication unit. In the power transmitting device, the information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery transmitted by the power receiving wireless communication unit is received by the power transmitting wireless communication unit. Then, in the power transmitting device, the charging status of the storage battery is determined based on the received information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery, and the control unit controls the on / off of the high-frequency power output from the high-frequency power supply. This has the effect that, if the charging status of the storage battery indicates that power supply to the storage battery is necessary, the power transmitting device turns on the output of high-frequency power to wirelessly supply power to the power receiving device, and, if the charging status of the storage battery indicates that power supply to the storage battery is unnecessary, the power transmitting device turns off the output of high-frequency power to stop wireless power supply to the power receiving device.In addition, since information that the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source has been turned on or off is transmitted to the server, it has the effect of easily knowing that the output of high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source has been turned on or off for wireless power supply from one power transmitting device to a power receiving device of one mobile object.
[0041] The contactless power supply system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power supply system according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects. That is, in the power transmitting device, high-frequency power is generated and output by the high-frequency power source. The phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current of the high-frequency power is detected by the phase detection unit. Then, information indicating at least the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current detected by the phase detection unit is transmitted as power supply status information to the server by the transmitting device. This has the effect of making it possible to easily grasp the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current of the high-frequency power output from the high-frequency power source, and determining whether or not there is an abnormality in power supply between one power transmitting device and one power receiving device of one mobile object from the phase difference.
[0042] The contactless power transfer system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. That is, power receiving-side information including at least first unique information is transmitted wirelessly to the power transmitting device by a power receiving-side wireless communication unit provided in the power receiving device or a mobile object. The transmitted power receiving-side information is received by a power transmitting-side wireless communication unit provided in the power transmitting device. As a result, the power transmitting device can transmit information related to power transfer, including not only the second unique information but also the first unique information received from the power receiving device, from a transmitting device provided in the power transmitting device to a server. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power transfer between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device changes from time to time, there is an effect that power transfer information related to power transfer, including the combination of the power transmitting device and the power receiving device to which contactless power transfer is performed, can be easily grasped.
[0043] The contactless power transfer system according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the contactless power transfer system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. That is, a power transmitter wireless communication unit provided in a power transmitter transmits transmission-side information including at least second unique information to a mobile body wirelessly. This transmitted transmission-side information is received by a power receiver wireless communication unit provided in a power receiver or a mobile body. As a result, the power receiver or the mobile body can transmit information related to power transfer from a transmission unit provided in the power receiver or the mobile body to a server, including not only the first unique information but also the second unique information received from the power transmitter. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power transfer between a power transmitter and a power receiver changes from time to time, there is an effect that power transfer information related to power transfer, including the combination of a power transmitter and a power receiver to which contactless power transfer is performed, can be easily grasped.
[0044] The contactless power supply system according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects: In a contactless power supply system in which high-frequency power is transmitted contactlessly from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device by electric field coupling, even if the combination of contactless power supply between a power transmitting device and a power receiving device changes from time to time, it has the effect of being able to easily grasp power supply information related to the power supply.
[0045] According to the power transmitting device of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when used in the contactless power supply system of any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the same effects as those achieved in the corresponding contactless power supply system can be obtained.
[0046] According to the power receiving device according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the same effects as those achieved in the corresponding contactless power supply system can be obtained.
[0047] According to the 19th aspect of the present invention, a mobile body has the power receiving device according to the 17th aspect, and when the power receiving device is used in a contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to 16th aspects, the effects achieved in the corresponding contactless power supply system can be obtained.
[0048] According to the server according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, when used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the same effects as those achieved in the corresponding contactless power supply system can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0049] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a contactless power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a diagram showing how one power transmission device in the contactless power supply system supplies (charges) power to one electric kickboard contactlessly from one power transmission device, (b) is an oblique view of the housing of the power transmission device, and (c) is an oblique view of the power transmission electrode unit of the power transmission device. [Figure 3] 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the power transmitting device, and the power receiving device and battery unit provided on the electric kickboard. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server of the contactless power supply system, and FIG. 1B is a system block diagram relating to management of the contactless power supply system. [Figure 5] (a) is a diagram showing an example of various information stored in a database constructed on the server, and (b) is a diagram showing the code set in the status code and the state of the power transmission device indicated by that code. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a power receiving side information transmission process executed by a wireless module of the power receiving device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a power feeding process executed by a control unit of the power transmitting device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a server transmission process executed in the power supply process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, and the arrangement and connection of the components shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.
[0051] <1. Overview of Wireless Power Transfer System 1> First, a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the contactless power supply system 1. Fig. 2(a) is a diagram illustrating how one power transmission device 10 contactlessly supplies (charges) power to one electric kickboard 7 in the contactless power supply system 1, Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the housing 6 of the power transmission device 10, and Fig. 2(c) is a perspective view of a power transmission electrode unit provided inside the housing 6 of the power transmission device 10 and on which a power transmission electrode 14 is installed.
[0052] The contactless power supply system 1 is a system for contactlessly supplying power from one of a plurality of power transmission devices 10 to each of a plurality of electric kick scooters 7, and charging a battery 33 (see FIG. 3) of each electric kick scooter 7. In the contactless power supply system 1, charging spots 5 are provided in various locations such as in front of train stations, tourist spots, public facilities, and stores, and each charging spot 5 is provided with one or more power transmission devices 10.
[0053] The charging spot 5 may be provided in a plurality of locations or in only one location. When there is only one charging spot 5, a plurality of power transmitters 10 are provided in the charging spot 5.
[0054] The electric kick scooter 7 is a specific example of the "mobile body" of the present invention, and is an electric mobility that can move by rotating wheels using a small electric motor (not shown). A user of the electric kick scooter 7 places their feet on the step while holding the handlebars, and controls the drive of the electric motor by operating the accelerator at hand. The user also operates the handbrake to stop the electric kick scooter 7. In this way, the electric motor rotates the wheels, allowing the electric kick scooter 7 to move without the user having to kick the ground, and coupled with its compact size, it has been attracting attention in recent years as a means of easily traveling around town.
[0055] In this embodiment, an electric kick scooter 7 is used as an example of a moving object to be powered by the contactless power supply system 1, but this is not limited to this. Various types of electric mobility that can move by converting electrical energy into power may also be used, such as electric vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that move automatically without a driver following a guide, and automated guided robots (AMRs) that can move autonomously.
[0056] As shown in Fig. 2(a), each electric kick scooter 7 is provided with a battery unit 30 inside a main frame bar that connects the handlebars and wheels. Each electric kick scooter 7 is also provided with a power receiving device 20 that receives power transmitted from one power transmitting device 10 and supplies the received power to a battery 33 (see Fig. 3) provided in the battery unit 30.
[0057] The battery 33 is a "storage battery" of the present invention, and is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly used by being charged. The electric kick scooter 7 receives power transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 at the power receiving device 20, and charges the battery 33 with the received power. The electric kick scooter 7 uses the power stored in the battery 33 through charging to drive the electric motor. Note that the battery 33 may be configured to also be charged with regenerative energy generated by the electric motor when the electric kick scooter 7 decelerates.
[0058] The power transmitting device 10 is a device that generates high-frequency power and transmits the generated high-frequency power to the power receiving device 20 in a contactless manner using an electric field coupling system. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the power transmitting device 10 has a low-height housing 6 whose length in the front-to-rear direction is longer than its length (width) in the left-to-right direction. The power transmitting device 10 is installed at each charging spot 5 as shown in FIG. 1, with the bottom surface of the housing 6 fixed to the ground G as shown in FIG. 2(a).
[0059] The housing 6 of the power transmitting device 10 may be installed with a part of it buried in the ground G in the height direction. Alternatively, the housing 6 may be installed with the entire housing 6 buried in the ground G in the height direction with only the top surface thereof exposed above the ground G.
[0060] The power transmitting device 10 also has a plug 41 and an AC / DC adapter 42. The electrical configuration of the power transmitting device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. The interior of the housing 6 is divided into two sections, and a circuit box (not shown) is provided in the lower section in which various circuits, including a high-frequency power supply 11 that generates high-frequency power, are arranged. Power (AC) required to generate the high-frequency power is supplied from a commercial power source by inserting the plug 41 into an outlet. The AC / DC adapter 42 converts the power (AC) supplied from the commercial power source into direct-current power (DC). The direct-current power (DC) is supplied to the high-frequency power supply 11 (see FIG. 3) provided inside the housing 6.
[0061] Furthermore, a power transmitting electrode unit 18 shown in Fig. 2(c) is installed in the upper interior section of the housing 6. The power transmitting electrode unit 18 has two power transmitting electrodes 14 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction so as to face an upper plate provided on the top surface of the housing 6. The power transmitting electrodes 14 are flat electrodes for transmitting high-frequency power to the electric kickboard 7 by electric field coupling. The two power transmitting electrodes 14 transmit high-frequency power differentially.
[0062] The top surface of the top plate of the housing 6 is formed flat so that the electric kick scooter 7 can be parked thereon. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(b), a design (icon) indicating that this is a parking space for the electric kick scooter 7 and an arrow icon indicating the direction in which the electric kick scooter should be parked are drawn on the top surface of the top plate of the housing 6 to make it easy for users to understand. The user can follow these icons to stop (park) the electric kick scooter 7 at a predetermined position set on the top surface of the top plate of the housing 6. Then, as will be described later, when the electric kick scooter 7 stops at that predetermined position, it becomes possible for the power transmitting device 10 to charge the electric kick scooter 7.
[0063] The power receiving device 20 has a power receiving electrode unit 27 and a circuit box 22. The power receiving electrode unit 27 is a member for fastening the power receiving electrodes 21 to the electric kickboard 7. The power receiving electrode unit 27 is fastened to the underside of the step of the electric kickboard 7 (the surface facing the ground G) with the two power receiving electrodes 21 arranged thereon.
[0064] The power receiving electrodes 21 are flat electrodes for receiving high frequency power transmitted from the power transmitting electrodes 14 of the power transmitting device 10 by electric field coupling, and two power receiving electrodes 21 are provided corresponding to the two power transmitting electrodes 14.
[0065] The power receiving electrode unit 27 has power receiving electrodes 21 arranged to face the power transmitting electrodes 14 when the electric kickboard 7 stops at a predetermined position set with respect to the upper surface of the top plate of the housing 6 of the power transmitter 10. Specifically, one power receiving electrode 21 faces one of the two power transmitting electrodes 14, and the other power receiving electrode 21 faces the other power transmitting electrode 14. This forms electric field coupling between the opposing power transmitting electrodes 14 and power receiving electrodes 21, and high-frequency power is supplied from the power transmitting electrode 14 to the power receiving electrode 21 in a contactless manner. Furthermore, power can be transmitted differentially between the two opposing pairs of power transmitting electrodes 14 and power receiving electrodes 21, enabling large power supply.
[0066] The circuit box 22 accommodates various circuits, including a conversion circuit 24 (see FIG. 3) for converting the high-frequency power received by the power receiving electrode 21 into power suitable for charging the battery 33 (battery unit 30). The circuit box 22 may be installed on a frame connecting the main frame bar and the step, as shown in FIG. 2(a), for example, or may be installed next to the power receiving electrode unit 27 below the step. The circuit box 22 may also be provided integrally with the power receiving electrode unit 27.
[0067] The detailed electrical configuration of the circuit box 22 will be described with reference to Fig. 3, but the power converted by the circuit box 22 to be suitable for charging the battery 33 is transmitted from the charging port 31 to the battery unit 30 and supplied to the battery 33. In this way, the battery 33 is charged.
[0068] As described above, in the contactless power supply system 1, when a user stops the electric kickboard 7 at a predetermined position set for one of the multiple power transmission devices 10 installed at each of the multiple charging spots 5, an electric field coupling is formed between the power transmission electrode 14 of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving electrode 21 of the power receiving device 20 installed on the electric kickboard 7, and high-frequency power is transmitted from the power transmission device 10 to the power receiving device 20.
[0069] Furthermore, each power transmission device 10 is configured to be able to transmit high-frequency power to the power receiving device 20 provided on any electric kickboard 7 and supply power to that electric kickboard 7. This allows the user to receive high-frequency power from any power transmission device 10 and charge the battery 33 of the electric kickboard 7. In this way, the contactless power transfer system 1 can supply power to multiple electric kickboards 7 (power receiving devices 20) from power transmission devices 10 installed in various locations.
[0070] The contactless power supply system 1 has a server 2 for the purpose of making it easy to grasp the power supply information related to the power supply for the combination of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20, which changes from time to time as described above.
[0071] The server 2 is provided in a cloud 3 that exists on the Internet (corresponding to "on a network" in the present invention), and is configured to be able to send and receive data via the Internet to and from all the power transmission devices 10 that exist in the wireless power supply system 1. The server 2 accumulates various pieces of information related to wireless power supply received from each of the power transmission devices 10 in a database provided in the server 2 (or connected to the server 2).
[0072] Based on the various information stored in this database, the server 2 manages the contactless power supply that is carried out between each of the multiple power transmission devices 10 and each of the power receiving devices 20 provided on the multiple electric kick scooters 7. For example, the server 2 monitors the occurrence of abnormalities in the ongoing contactless power supply, keeps track of the amount of power consumed in the contactless power supply, and manages billing for users of the electric kick scooter 7 (those who own the electric kick scooter 7 or those who rent and use the electric kick scooter 7).
[0073] The server 2 is also configured to be able to send and receive data via the Internet to and from client terminals 4 owned by administrators, users of the electric kickboards 7, etc. The server 2 is configured to be able to send various information based on data received from each power transmission device 10 and data stored in a database to the client terminal 4. This allows the administrators, users, etc. to use the client terminal 4 to understand the status of contactless power feeding in all power transmission devices 10 from the information received from the server 2.
[0074] For example, the server 2 can be configured to send information indicating an abnormality in contactless power supply together with information for identifying the power transmission device 10 and electric kickboard 7 (or power receiving device 20) in which the abnormality has been detected to the administrator's client terminal 4.This allows the administrator to easily understand the abnormality in contactless power supply and the location of the power transmission device 10 in which the abnormality has occurred, and to immediately take action to address the abnormality.
[0075] Furthermore, the server 2 can be configured to transmit availability information for each power transmission device 10 (information on whether the electric kickboard 7 is parked at a predetermined position set in the power transmission device 10) to the user's client terminal 4. This allows the user to easily find available power transmission devices 10 from the client terminal 4, and to move the electric kickboard 7 to an available power transmission device 10 to charge it.
[0076] The server 2 can also present a charge amount to the user's client terminal 4 and request payment based on the amount of power consumed to charge the battery 33. Furthermore, the server 2 can provide the client terminal 4 with various information stored in the database in response to a request from the client terminal 4.
[0077] <2. Detailed configuration of the wireless power transfer system 1> Next, the detailed configuration of the contactless power supply system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 and battery unit 30 provided on the electric kickboard 7. Fig. 4(a) is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2, and Fig. 4(b) is a system block diagram related to management of the contactless power supply system 1.
[0078] <2.1. Power transmission device 10> First, the power transmitting device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In addition to the plug 41, AC / DC adapter 42, high-frequency power supply 11, and power transmitting electrode 14, the power transmitting device 10 is configured to include an RF phase detection unit 12, a matching circuit 13, a wireless module 15, a control unit 16, a ROM (Random Access Memory) 17, and a communication module 50. The high-frequency power supply 11, the RF phase detection unit 12, the matching circuit 13, the wireless module 15, the control unit 16, the ROM 17, and the communication module 50 are housed in a circuit box (not shown) provided in the lower part inside the housing 6.
[0079] The high frequency power supply 11 is an inverter that generates and outputs high frequency power (RF) from direct current power (DC) converted from commercial power (AC) by the AC / DC adapter 42. The high frequency power supply 11 is configured by, for example, a class D inverter, a class E inverter, or a class DE inverter. These inverters convert the direct current power (DC) into high frequency power (RF) by using switching with field effect transistors (FETs).
[0080] These inverters are able to reduce energy loss and generate high-frequency power with high efficiency by configuring the circuit so that the FET achieves zero voltage switching (ZVS) and / or zero voltage derivative switching (ZVDS) when the connected load has a certain resistance value.
[0081] Also, as an inverter circuit configuration, there is known one in which a passive circuit that converts input impedance is connected to the output side of a switching circuit so that an FET not only achieves ZVS and ZVDS when a load connected to the inverter has a predetermined resistance value, but also achieves at least ZVS even when the load deviates from the predetermined resistance value (for example, the inverter described in Patent Document 4). The resistance value of battery 33 changes depending on its charging rate, and by using such an inverter in high-frequency power supply 11, high-frequency power supply 11 can generate high-frequency power with high efficiency even if the charging rate of battery 33 changes, and the efficiency of contactless power transfer system 1 can be further improved.
[0082] Furthermore, the inverter described in Patent Document 4 can be configured with a passive circuit so that the voltage output from the inverter becomes a constant voltage with a constant amplitude, or so that the current output from the inverter becomes a constant current with a constant amplitude, even when the resistance value of the load changes. By configuring the high-frequency power supply 11 using an inverter having such a passive circuit, the high-frequency power supply 11 can output a constant voltage or a constant current, and stable operation of the contactless power transfer system 1 can be achieved.
[0083] High frequency power supply 11 has a temperature sensor (not shown) provided on the substrate near the FET. This temperature sensor detects the substrate temperature near the FET. The substrate temperature near the FET detected by the temperature sensor is transmitted to control unit 16. Control unit 16 determines a power supply abnormality based on the substrate temperature near the FET. Control unit 16 also transmits information on the substrate temperature near the FET to server 2 as one piece of power supply status information, which is information related to the power supply that can be used to understand the power supply status.
[0084] Furthermore, the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11 are measured by the high frequency power supply 11, and information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current is transmitted to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 determines an abnormality related to the power supply based on the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11. Furthermore, the control unit 16 transmits information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current input to the high frequency power supply 11 to the server 2 as one piece of power amount information that can be used to determine the amount of power required to charge the battery 33, among the information related to the power supply.
[0085] The RF phase detector 12 is connected in cascade after the high frequency power supply 11 and is a circuit that detects the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11. This phase difference can also be considered as the phase of the input impedance when looking at the load side from the high frequency power supply 11, and in other words, the RF phase detector 12 detects the phase of that input impedance. The phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detector 12 is input to the controller 16.
[0086] Although details will be described later, the control unit 16 uses the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 as one parameter for determining an abnormality in the contactless power supply from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20. That is, when the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) is not within a predetermined range, the control unit 16 determines that impedance matching is not achieved and that highly efficient power transmission or stable constant voltage or constant current operation is not possible.
[0087] Furthermore, the control unit 16 transmits to the server 2 information indicating the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 as one piece of power supply state information.
[0088] The matching circuit 13 is a circuit for suppressing impedance mismatching and performing impedance matching to achieve highly efficient power transmission. In this embodiment, the matching circuit 13 is connected in cascade to the rear stage of the RF phase detection unit 12. The radio frequency power (RF) output from the radio frequency power supply 11 is supplied to the power transmitting electrode 14 via the RF phase detection unit 12 and the matching circuit 13, and is then transmitted from the power transmitting electrode 14 to the power receiving electrode 21 of the power receiving device 20 in a contactless manner by electric field coupling ((1) in FIG. 3).
[0089] The positional relationship between the RF phase detector 12 and the matching circuit 13 may be reversed. That is, the high-frequency power supply 11, the matching circuit 13, and the RF phase detector 12 may be connected in tandem in this order, and the power transmitting electrode 14 may be connected to the output of the RF phase detector 12.
[0090] The wireless module 15 corresponds to the "power transmitting side wireless communication unit" of the present invention, and is a module for wirelessly communicating with the power receiving device 20 ((2) in FIG. 3). The wireless module 15 receives various information (power receiving side information) from the power receiving device 20 and outputs it to the control unit 16.
[0091] As will be described in detail later, the control unit 16 grasps the state of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 based on the power receiving side information received from the power receiving device 20 by the wireless module 15, together with the power transmitting side information, which is internal information of the power transmitting device 10, and controls the on / off of the output of high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power source 11.
[0092] In addition, the control unit 16 transmits to the server 2 the collected power transmission side information, the power receiving side information received from the power receiving device 20, information indicating the state of contactless power supply determined based on the power receiving side information and the power transmission side information (a status code described later), etc., as information regarding power supply from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20.
[0093] At this time, as will be described later, the power receiving side information includes a power receiving device ID 27a, which is unique information (ID) assigned to the power receiving device 20. This power receiving device ID 27a is transmitted to the server 2 together with a power transmitting device ID 17a, which is unique information (ID) assigned to the power transmitting device 10. This allows the server 2 and the client terminal 4 receiving information from the server 2 to know which power transmitting device 10 is supplying power to which power receiving device 20 (or the electric kickboard 7 having that power receiving device 20).
[0094] Furthermore, when the wireless module 15 receives the power receiving side information from the power receiving device 20, the wireless module 15 also acquires an LQI (Link Quality Indicator) value indicating the quality of wireless communication with the power receiving device 20. The wireless module 15 outputs the acquired LQI value to the control unit 16 together with the power receiving side information.
[0095] At least some charging spots 5 have multiple power transmission devices 10 installed adjacent to each other, and there is a risk that power receiving side information transmitted from the power receiving devices 20 of electric kickboards 7 parked at adjacent power transmission devices 10 may be interfered with and received by the wireless module 15. From the LQI value acquired by the wireless module 15, the control unit 16 can determine whether the received power receiving side information was transmitted from the power receiving device 20 of an electric kickboard 7 parked at its own power transmission device 10, or from the power receiving device 20 of an electric kickboard 7 parked at a power transmission device 10 other than its own.
[0096] Furthermore, when transmitting information related to power supply and the like to the server 2, the control unit 16 also transmits the acquired LQI value. This allows the server 2 and the client terminal 4 connected to the server 2 to determine, from the LQI value, whether the power receiving side information included in the transmitted information related to power supply and the information indicating the state of contactless power supply determined based on the power receiving side information are based on the power receiving side information received based on high communication quality.
[0097] The control unit 16 is a control device that controls the operation of the power transmitting device 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 17. The control unit 16 is configured by a general arithmetic device centered around a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a description of the specific configuration thereof will be omitted.
[0098] The control unit 16 grasps the state of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 based on power transmitting side information input from each part of the power transmitting device 10, such as the phase difference between the high frequency voltage and high frequency current of the high frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12, and power receiving side information received by the wireless module 15, and controls the contactless power supply by turning the output of high frequency power from the high frequency power source 11 on or off.
[0099] For example, the control unit 16 turns off the high-frequency power supply 11 when the power transmitting device 10 is in a "waiting for vehicle" state, waiting for the electric kickboard 7 to stop at a predetermined position set for the power transmitting device 10, or when the power transmitting device 10 is in a "charging completed" state, in which charging of the battery 33 has been completed. In this case, however, the control unit 16 turns on the high-frequency power supply 11 for a predetermined period at predetermined time intervals, causing the high-frequency power supply 11 to operate intermittently. This is to determine whether the electric kickboard 7 has stopped at the predetermined position set for the power transmitting device 10.
[0100] When the electric kickboard 7 is stopped at a predetermined position, the power receiving device 20 transmits power reception information or charging completion information in response to the intermittent operation of the high-frequency power source 11, depending on whether the battery 33 is fully charged. When the control unit 16 receives power reception information transmitted when the battery 33 is not fully charged, it enters the "power transmitting" state and keeps the high-frequency power source 11 on to charge the battery 33. When the control unit 16 receives charging completion information transmitted when the battery 33 is fully charged, it continues the "charging completed" state. On the other hand, when no information is received in response to the intermittent operation of the high-frequency power source 11, the control unit 16 determines that the electric kickboard 7 is not stopped at a predetermined position and enters the "waiting for vehicle" state.
[0101] Furthermore, while the high frequency power supply 11 is continuously on and in the "power transmitting" state, the control unit 16 receives charging power information from the power receiving device 20. The charging power information is information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current (DC) power supplied from the power receiving device 20 to the battery unit 30. The control unit 16 determines the charging state of the battery 33 based on the charging power information, and when it determines that the battery 33 is fully charged, it turns off the high frequency power supply 11 and sets the battery to the "charging completed" state.
[0102] Furthermore, while in the "power transmitting" state, control unit 16 determines whether there is an abnormality, and if there is an abnormality, turns off high frequency power supply 11 and keeps high frequency power supply 11 in the off state until the abnormality is resolved.
[0103] Furthermore, the control unit 16 controls the communication module 50 to transmit to the server 2 the power transmission device ID 17a assigned to itself, the power receiving device ID 27a of the power receiving device 20 to be powered, and information regarding power supply between the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20.
[0104] The above processing executed by the control unit 16 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.
[0105] The ROM 17 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory that is accessed by the control unit 16, and stores programs executed by the control unit 16 and various fixed value data referenced by the programs. The ROM 17 stores a power transmitting device ID 17a as one of the fixed value data.
[0106] The power transmission device ID 17a is unique ID information uniquely assigned to each of the multiple power transmission devices 10, and corresponds to the "second unique information" of the present invention. The power transmission device ID 17a is referenced when the control unit 16 transmits information related to power supply to the server 2, and is transmitted to the server 2 together with the information related to power supply.
[0107] The communication module 50 corresponds to the "transmitting device" of the present invention, and is a module for communicating with the server 2 present in the cloud 3 via the Internet. Under the control of the control unit 16, the communication module 50 transmits to the server 2 the power receiving device ID 27a of the power receiving device 20 to be supplied with power by the power transmitting device 10, the power transmitting device ID 17a of the power transmitting device 10, and information related to the power supply.
[0108] 2.2. Power Receiving Device 20 Next, the electrical configuration of the power receiving device 20 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the power receiving device 20 is configured to include, in addition to the power receiving electrode 21 described above, a matching circuit 23, a rectifier circuit 24a, a DC / DC converter 24b, a power measuring unit 25, a wireless module 26, and a ROM 27. The matching circuit 23, the rectifier circuit 24a, the DC / DC converter 24b, the power measuring unit 25, the wireless module 26, and the ROM 27 are housed in a circuit box 22. The rectifier circuit 24a and the DC / DC converter 24b form a conversion circuit 24.
[0109] The matching circuit 23 is connected in tandem after the power receiving electrode 21, and is a circuit for suppressing impedance mismatching together with the matching circuit 13 of the power transmitting device 10 and performing impedance matching to achieve highly efficient power transmission.
[0110] The conversion circuit 24 is a circuit for converting high frequency power (RF) into power suitable for charging the battery 33, and is configured by connecting a rectifier circuit 24a and a DC / DC converter 24b in series.
[0111] The rectifier circuit 24a is connected in cascade after the matching circuit 23, and the radio frequency power (RF) received by the power receiving electrode 21 from the power transmitting electrode 14 of the power transmitting device 10 is input via the matching circuit 23. The rectifier circuit 24a is a circuit for rectifying the input radio frequency power (RF) and converting it into direct current power (DC).
[0112] The direct current power (DC) output from the rectifier circuit 24a is input to the DC / DC converter 24b. The DC / DC converter 24b is a circuit for converting the input direct current power (DC) into a direct current voltage and / or a direct current suitable for charging the battery 33. The direct current power (DC) converted by the DC / DC converter 24b into a direct current voltage and / or a direct current suitable for charging is transmitted from the charging port 31 to the battery unit 30 and supplied to the battery 33 via the battery management system (BMS) 32.
[0113] The power measuring unit 25 measures the direct current (DC) power output from the DC / DC converter 24b, in other words, the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current (DC) power input to the battery unit 30. That is, the DC voltage and DC current measured by the power measuring unit 25 are values of the DC voltage or DC current converted by the DC / DC converter 24b so as to be suitable for charging the battery 33. Information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current obtained by measurement by the power measuring unit 25 is transmitted to the wireless module 26 as charging power information.
[0114] The wireless module 26 corresponds to the "power receiving side wireless communication unit" of the present invention, and is a module for wirelessly communicating with the power transmitting device 10 ((2) in FIG. 3). The wireless module 26 transmits power reception information, charging power information, or charging completion information to the power transmitting device 10 together with a power receiving device ID 27a (described later) according to the situation at the time.
[0115] The power reception information is information that is transmitted to the power transmitting device 10 when the battery 33 is not fully charged and receives radio frequency power (RF) that is intermittently transmitted from the power transmitting device 10. As a result, radio frequency power (RF) is continuously transmitted from the power transmitting device 10, and the battery 33 is charged. The power reception information also includes charging power information.
[0116] The charging completion information is information that is transmitted to the power transmitting device 10 when the battery 33 is fully charged and the power transmitting device 10 receives radio frequency power (RF) that is transmitted intermittently from the power transmitting device 10. By receiving the charging completion information, the power transmitting device 10 can determine that although the electric kickboard 7 is stopped at a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10, the battery 33 is fully charged and does not need to be charged.
[0117] As described above, the charging power information is information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, obtained by measurement by the power measurement unit 25. The wireless module 26 transmits the charging power information to the power transmitting device 10 at predetermined time intervals while continuously receiving radio frequency power (RF) from the power transmitting device 10. The power transmitting device 10 determines whether the battery 33 is fully charged based on this charging power information. The power transmitting device 10 also transmits the charging power information to the server 2 as one piece of power amount information.
[0118] The above processing executed by the wireless module 26 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.
[0119] The ROM 27 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory that is accessed by the wireless module 26, and stores programs that control the operation of the wireless module 26 and various fixed value data referenced by the programs.
[0120] A power receiving device ID 27a is stored in the ROM 27 as one of the fixed value data. The power receiving device ID 27a is unique ID information assigned to each of the power receiving devices 20 of the multiple electric kickboards 7, and corresponds to the "first unique information" of the present invention. When transmitting information to the power transmitting device 10, the wireless module 26 refers to the power receiving device ID 27a and transmits the information to the power transmitting device 10 together with the power receiving device ID 27a.
[0121] <2.3. Battery Unit 30> Next, a description will be given of the electrical configuration of the battery unit 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the battery unit 30 is composed of a battery management system (BMS) 32 and a battery 33. Direct current (DC) power output from the DC / DC converter 24b of the power receiving device 20 is input to the BMS 32 via the charging port 31.
[0122] The BMS 32 generates, from the direct current (DC) power output from the DC / DC converter 24b, a DC voltage and a DC current that are suitable for the type, charging rate, temperature, and other conditions of the battery 33. The BMS 33 also has a function of determining the charging rate of the battery 33 and outputting the determined charging rate of the battery 33 to the power receiving device 20.
[0123] The direct current power (DC) output by the BMS 32 is supplied to the battery 33. As a result, the battery 33 is charged.
[0124] <2.4. Server 2 and management system for wireless power transfer system 1> Next, the configuration of the server 2 and a system related to management of the contactless power supply system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the server 2 includes a server receiving unit 61, a processing unit 62, a storage unit 63, and a server output unit 64.
[0126] The server receiving unit 61 is an interface that receives information transmitted to the server 2 from the communication modules 50 (FIG. 4(b)) of all the power transmission devices 10 that make up the contactless power supply system 1. As described above, the information transmitted from each power transmission device 10 includes the power transmission device ID 17a of the power transmission device 10, the power receiving device ID 27a of the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7 that is the power supply target when the power transmission device 10 is supplying power, and information related to the power supply.
[0127] The processing unit 62 is a central block of the server 2. The processing unit 62 performs stream analysis on information received by the server receiving unit 61 using a stream analysis unit 62c (FIG. 4(b)) and stores the information in a storage unit 63 (described later), executes various processes based on information obtained through the stream analysis by the stream analysis unit 62c and / or information stored in the storage unit 63, and transmits information to the client terminal 4 via a server output unit 64 (described later). The processing unit 62 also includes an SQL server unit 62d (FIG. 4(b)), which manages a database configured in the storage unit 63 (described later). The processing unit 62 is configured using a general computer centered around a central processing unit (CPU) and a semiconductor memory, and therefore a detailed description of its configuration will be omitted.
[0128] The storage unit 63 constructs a database of the server 2 and is configured by a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) configured by combining multiple hard disks. The storage unit 63 stores various information related to power supply received from all the power transmission devices 10 that configure the contactless power supply system 1, including the power transmission device ID 17a and the power receiving device ID 27a. Details of the information stored in the storage unit 63 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.
[0129] The server output unit 64 is an interface for outputting the results of processing by the processing unit 62 to a client terminal 4 owned by an administrator of the contactless power supply system 1 or a user of the electric kickboard 7. The server output unit 64 transmits information according to Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to display the information on a web browser 4a (FIG. 4(b)) of the client terminal 4, or transmits the information to a dedicated application 4b (denoted as "dedicated app" in FIG. 4(b)) installed on the client terminal 4. The server output unit 64 may also transmit the information to an email address owned by the administrator or user.
[0130] For example, when the abnormality determination unit 62a provided in the processing unit 62 determines that there is an abnormality in the contactless power supply, the server output unit 64 transmits the abnormality to the client terminal 4 of the administrator.
[0131] Here, the abnormality determination unit 62a is realized by executing a program for performing abnormality determination by the CPU constituting the processing unit 62. The abnormality determination unit 62a determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the contactless power supply from one power transmission device 10 to one power receiving device 20, based on information related to power supply received from each power transmission device 10 or based on information stored in the storage unit 63.
[0132] For example, if the status code included in the information related to power feeding received from one power transmitting device 10 is a code notifying an abnormality (any of human detection stop, temperature stop, overvoltage stop, overcurrent stop, undervoltage stop, and abnormal stop, the details of which will be described later), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the contactless power feeding performed by that one power transmitting device 10. When the abnormality determination unit 62a determines that an abnormality has occurred in the contactless power feeding of that one power transmitting device 10, it transmits to the server output unit 64 information on the occurrence of the abnormality and information for identifying the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in which the abnormality has occurred from the power transmitting device ID 17a and the power receiving device ID 27a included in the information on which the determination was based.
[0133] The server output unit 64 receives the information about the occurrence of an abnormality from the abnormality determination unit 62a and transmits a notification of the occurrence of the abnormality to the manager's client terminal 4 together with information for identifying the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 where the abnormality has occurred. This allows the manager to easily grasp the abnormality in the wireless power supply and the location of the power transmitting device 10 where the abnormality has occurred, and can immediately take action to deal with the abnormality.
[0134] In addition, when the electricity fee is calculated from the amount of electricity consumed to charge the battery 33 of the electric kickboard 7 by the electricity fee calculation unit 62b provided in the processing unit 62, the server output unit 64 transmits billing information or payment information for the electricity fee to the administrator and the client terminal 4 of the user of the electric kickboard 7.
[0135] Here, the electricity charge calculation unit 62b calculates the amount of electricity consumed to charge the battery 33 of the electric kickboard 7 based on the electricity amount information stored in the memory unit 63, and calculates the electricity charge to be charged to the user from the calculated amount of electricity.
[0136] The power amount information used to calculate the electricity fee may be, for example, the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, measured by the power measurement unit 25 of the power receiving device 20. This allows the electricity fee to be calculated based on the amount of power directly involved in charging the battery 33, and the user of the electric kickboard 7 can be charged based on that amount of power.
[0137] The power amount information used to calculate the electricity fee may also be the direct current (DC) power used to generate radio frequency (RF) power in the radio frequency power source 11 in the power transmitting device 10, i.e., the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current (DC) power input to the radio frequency power source 11. This allows the electricity fee to be calculated based on the amount of power consumed to generate radio frequency (RF) power in the power transmitting device 10 to charge the battery 33, and the user of the electric kickboard 7 to be charged based on that amount of power.
[0138] The power amount information used to calculate the electricity fee may also be the value of the power (AC) supplied from the commercial power source to the power transmission device 10 to generate high frequency power (RF) in the high frequency power source 11, i.e., the value of the power (AC) input to the AC / DC adapter 42 to generate direct current power (DC) to be input to the high frequency power source 11. This allows the electricity fee to be calculated based on the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source to charge the battery 33, and the user of the electric kickboard 7 to be charged based on that amount of power.
[0139] The electricity charge calculation unit 62b identifies which power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7) the calculated amount of power or electricity charge is due to, based on the power transmitting device ID 17a and the power receiving device ID 27a linked to the power amount information stored in the storage unit 63, and outputs this information to the server output unit 64. The server output unit 64 outputs electricity charge billing information or payment information to the client terminal 4 of the user of the electric kickboard 7 having the power receiving device 20 identified by the electricity charge calculation unit 62b. The server output unit 64 also transmits information on the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 identified by the electricity charge calculation unit 62b, together with the electricity charge information, to the client terminal 4 of the administrator. This allows the administrator to know which power transmitting device 10 supplied power to which power receiving device 20 and how much the electricity charge for that power supply was.
[0140] Additionally, the processing unit 62 determines availability information of all power transmission devices 10 constituting the contactless power supply system 1 from the information stored in the storage unit 63, and transmits the determination result to the server output unit 64. The server output unit 64 receives the determination result and transmits the availability information of each power transmission device 10 to the user's client terminal 4. This makes it easy to know which power transmission devices 10 are available from the client terminal 4, and allows the electric kickboard 7 to be moved to an available power transmission device 10 for charging.
[0141] <3. Information stored in Server 2's database> FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of various information stored in a database constructed in the storage unit 63 of the server 2. In the database, for example, a table is prepared for each of all the power transmission devices 10 constituting the contactless power supply system 1, and information regarding power supply in which the corresponding power transmission device 10 is involved, received from the corresponding power transmission device 10, is sequentially stored as a record in each table. Note that various data structures of the database may be adopted depending on the purpose of the server 2 (what information is to be output to the client terminal 4). Information shown in FIG. 5(a) is an example of information stored in the database. Here, the contents of each piece of information will be described.
[0142] transmitter_id This is a value stored for each table of the database, and is set to the same value as the power transmission device ID 17a for identifying the power transmission device 10. When the processing unit 62 receives information related to power supply from the power transmission device 10, the processing unit 62 refers to the power transmission device ID 17a transmitted together with the information related to power supply, and stores the received information related to power supply and information obtained by processing the information as records in the storage unit 63 for a table in which the same value as the power transmission device ID 17a is set in transmitter_id.
[0143] receiver_id_hex The power receiving device ID 27a is a value stored in a record of each table and is used to identify the power receiving device 20 that receives contactless power feeding from the power transmitting device 10 corresponding to that table. That is, when the power receiving device ID 27a is added to information related to power feeding received from the power transmitting device 10, the processing unit 62 stores the information related to the power feeding and information obtained by processing the information as a record in the storage unit 63, and also includes the power receiving device ID 27a in the record as receiver_id_hex.
[0144] This makes it possible to identify that a record stored in a table corresponding to one power transmission device 10 is information related to contactless power feeding between the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 identified by receiver_id_hex. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power feeding between the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, it is possible to easily identify which combination of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 has performed contactless power feeding in the past or currently performed, and also to easily grasp power feeding information related to power feeding performed with that combination.
[0145] state_code The status code is a value stored in the record of each table and is included in the information related to power supply received from the power transmission device 10 corresponding to that table. The status code indicates the state of the power transmission device 10 as one piece of power supply state information, and the code shown in Fig. 5(b) is set according to the state. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing the code set in the status code and the state of the power transmission device 10 indicated by the code.
[0146] If the status code is "1", the power transmission device 10 indicates that the electric kickboard 7 is not stopped at the predetermined position set for the power transmission device 10 and is in a "waiting for vehicle" state. If the status code is "2", the power transmission device 10 indicates that it is in a "power transmitting" state, in which it is transmitting power to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7. If the status code is "3", the power transmission device 10 indicates that it has completed charging the battery 33 of the electric kickboard 7 stopped at the predetermined position and is in a "charging completed" state.
[0147] If the status code is "4", the power transmitting device 10 is in a "human detection stop" state, in which a person has entered a predetermined location or near a predetermined location while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped. If the status code is "5", the power transmitting device 10 is in a "temperature stop" state, in which the substrate temperature near the FET of the high-frequency power supply 11 has increased while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped. If the status code is "6", the power transmitting device 10 is in an "overvoltage stop" state, in which the DC voltage of the direct current (DC) power input to the high-frequency power supply 11 has increased while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped.
[0148] A status code of "7" indicates that the power transmitting device 10 is in an "overcurrent stop" state, where the DC current of the direct current (DC) power input to the high frequency power supply 11 has increased while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped. A status code of "8" indicates that the power transmitting device 10 is in an "undervoltage stop" state, where the DC voltage of the direct current (DC) power input to the high frequency power supply 11 has become insufficient while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped. A status code of "9" indicates that the power transmitting device 10 is in an "abnormal stop" state, where the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high frequency power supply 11 toward the load side (battery 33 side) has exceeded a predetermined range while power is being supplied to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7, causing the power supply to be stopped.
[0149] The processing unit 62 can easily grasp the state of the power transmitting device 10 from the status code. For example, if the status code is "power transmitting," the processing unit 62 can grasp that the high frequency power supply 11 is in the ON state, if the status code is "waiting for vehicle" or "charging completed," the processing unit 62 can grasp that the high frequency power supply 11 is in the OFF state (with intermittent operation), and if the status code is "human sensor stop," "temperature stop," "overvoltage stop," "overcurrent stop," "undervoltage stop," or "abnormal stop," the processing unit 62 can grasp that the high frequency power supply 11 is in the OFF state (without intermittent operation).
[0150] Furthermore, the abnormality determination unit 62a of the processing unit 62 can easily determine from the status code whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the power supply from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20, and if an abnormality has occurred, the cause, and can immediately notify the administrator's client terminal 4 of information about the abnormality together with information identifying the power transmitting device 10 and power receiving device 20 (or electric kickboard 7) in which the abnormality has occurred. Therefore, from the notification, the administrator can easily identify the power transmitting device 10 and power receiving device 20 or electric kickboard 7 in which the abnormality has occurred, and can take immediate action.
[0151] state_id A status ID is a value stored in a record of each table and is assigned to a status code by the power transmitting device 10. This status ID is a random number generated by the power transmitting device 10 every time the status code is updated. In other words, the power transmitting device 10 assigns the same status ID to the status code unless the status code is changed, and includes the status code and the status ID in the information regarding power supply to be transmitted to the server 2.
[0152] When the information related to power supply includes a status code, the processing unit 62 of the server 2 also stores the status ID included in the information in state_id. This status ID is used to confirm the reliability of the information received by the server 2 from the power transmitting device 10. That is, when the status ID has changed even though the status codes of the information related to power supply transmitted consecutively are the same (unchanged), the processing unit 62 can determine that there is a gap in the transmitted information. Therefore, the server 2 can use the status ID to confirm the reliability (that there is no gap) of the information stored in the database.
[0153] lqi The value stored in the record of each table indicates the reception strength when the power transmitting device 10 receives power receiving side information from the power receiving device 20. When the information about power supply received from the power transmitting device 10 includes information indicating the reception strength, the processing unit 62 stores the reception strength as lqi in the storage unit 63. Based on this lqi, the processing unit 62 can grasp the strength of the wireless communication from the power receiving device 20 to the power transmitting device 10, and can determine the reliability of information related to the power receiving device 20 (for example, the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30).
[0154] charge_voltage The value stored in the record of each table is the DC voltage value of the direct current (DC) power (DC) output from the DC / DC converter 24b of the power receiving device 20 and input to the battery unit 30, i.e., a value representing the charging voltage. This value is measured by the power measuring unit 25 of the power receiving device 20 and transmitted from the power receiving device 20 to the power transmitting device 10 as one piece of charging power information. Each time the power transmitting device 10 receives charging power information, the server 2 transmits this information to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply. Upon receiving this information from the power transmitting device 10, the server 2 stores it in the storage unit 63 as charge_voltage. This information is used to determine the charging power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity fee calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity fee by referring to the charging voltage indicated in charge_voltage.
[0155] charge_current The value stored in the record of each table is a value representing the DC current value of the direct current (DC) power (DC) output from the DC / DC converter 24b of the power receiving device 20 and input to the battery unit 30, i.e., a value representing the charging current. This value is measured by the power measuring unit 25 of the power receiving device 20 and transmitted from the power receiving device 20 to the power transmitting device 10 as one piece of charging power information. Each time the power transmitting device 10 receives charging power information, the server 2 transmits this information to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply. Upon receiving this information from the power transmitting device 10, the server 2 stores it in the storage unit 63 as charge_current. This information, together with charge_voltage, is used to determine the charging power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity fee calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity fee by referring to the charging current indicated in charge_current.
[0156] charge_power The value stored in the record of each table is the value of the direct current (DC) power (DC) output from the DC / DC converter 24b of the power receiving device 20 and input to the battery unit 30, i.e., a value representing the charging power. This value is calculated by multiplying the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current (DC) power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 when the server 2 receives these values from the power transmitting device 10. The server 2 stores this calculated value of charging power as charge_power in the storage unit 63. This information is used to grasp the charging power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity fee calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity fee by referring to the charging power indicated in charge_power.
[0157] The value of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 may be calculated by the control unit 16 of the power transmitting device 10 and transmitted to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply. Alternatively, the value of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 may be calculated by the power measuring unit 25 or the wireless module 26 of the power receiving device 20, transmitted from the power receiving device 20 to the power transmitting device 10 as one piece of charging power information, and then transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0158] inverter_input_voltage The value stored in the record of each table is the DC voltage value of the direct current (DC) power output from the AC / DC adapter 42 and input to the high frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10, i.e., a value representing the input voltage of the inverter board of the high frequency power supply 11. This value is measured by the high frequency power supply 11 and input to the control unit 16. Every time the power transmitting device 10 receives charging power information from the power receiving device 20, the power transmitting device 10 transmits information on the input voltage of the inverter board of the high frequency power supply 11 together with information included in the charging power information to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply. When the server 2 receives information on the input voltage of the inverter board of the high frequency power supply 11 from the power transmitting device 10, the server 2 stores the information as inverter_input_voltage in the storage unit 63. This information is used to determine the power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity charge calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity charge by referring to the voltage indicated in inverter_input_voltage.
[0159] inverter_input_current The value stored in the record of each table is a value representing the direct current value of the direct current (DC) power output from the AC / DC adapter 42 and input to the high-frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10, i.e., a value representing the input current of the inverter board of the high-frequency power supply 11. This value is measured by the high-frequency power supply 11 and input to the control unit 16. Every time the power transmitting device 10 receives charging power information from the power receiving device 20, the power transmitting device 10 transmits information about the input current of the inverter board of the high-frequency power supply 11 together with information included in the charging power information to the server 2 as part of the information about power supply. When the server 2 receives information about the input current of the inverter board of the high-frequency power supply 11 from the power transmitting device 10, the server 2 stores the information as inverter_input_current in the storage unit 63. This information, together with inverter_input_voltage, is used to determine the power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity rate calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity rate by referring to the current indicated in inverter_input_current.
[0160] inverter_input_power The value stored in the record of each table is the value of the direct current (DC) power output from the AC / DC adapter 42 and input to the high frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10, i.e., a value representing the input power of the inverter board of the high frequency power supply 11. When the server 2 receives the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current (DC) power input to the high frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10 from the power transmitting device 10, the server 2 calculates this value by multiplying these DC voltages. The server 2 stores this calculated value of the direct current (DC) power input to the high frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10 as inverter_input_power in the storage unit 63. This information is used to determine the power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity charge calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity charge by referring to the power indicated in inverter_input_power. The value of the input power to the inverter board of the high frequency power supply 11 may be calculated by the control unit 16 of the power transmitting device 10 and transmitted to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0161] ac_adapter_input_power The value stored in the record of each table represents the power (AC) input from a commercial power source to the AC / DC adapter 42. When the server 2 calculates the value of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11 of the power transmitting device 10 as inverter_input_power, the server 2 divides the calculated value by the AC adapter efficiency. The AC adapter efficiency used is one that is registered in advance in the server 2 according to the AC / DC adapter 42 being used. The server 2 stores the calculated value of the input power (AC) of the AC / DC adapter 42 as ac_adapter_input_power in the storage unit 63. This information is used to determine the power consumed for charging the battery 33. The electricity fee calculation unit 62b can calculate the electricity fee by referring to the power indicated in ac_adapter_input_power. The value of the input power (AC) of the AC / DC adapter 42 may be calculated by the control unit 16 of the power transmitting device 10 and transmitted to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0162] phase The value stored in the record of each table indicates the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power source 11, detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 of the power transmission device 10, in other words, the value indicating the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high-frequency power source 11 toward the load side.
[0163] When the status code is "power transmission in progress", the power transmission device 10 transmits to the server 2 the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 and the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power source 11, and also transmits to the server 2 information indicating the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power source 11 as part of the information related to power supply.
[0164] In addition, when the status code indicates a state related to a shutdown due to an abnormality, i.e., "human sensor shutdown," "temperature shutdown," "overvoltage shutdown," "overcurrent shutdown," "undervoltage shutdown," or "abnormal shutdown," the power transmission device 10 transmits information indicating the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power source 11, detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 just before the shutdown due to the abnormality, to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0165] When the information regarding power supply received from the power transmission device 10 includes information indicating the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power source 11, the processing unit 62 stores the information as a phase in the memory unit 63.
[0166] The phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power supply 11, stored as the phase, is used to understand the charging state. Furthermore, when the power transmitting device 10 stops due to an abnormality, it is possible to infer how the power transmitting device 10 stopped from the time change in the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power supply 11, stored as the phase.
[0167] temperature The value stored in the record of each table is a value indicating the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11. When the status code is "transmitting power", the power transmitting device 10 transmits to the server 2 the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 and the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11, and also transmits information indicating the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11 to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0168] In addition, when the status code indicates a state related to a shutdown due to an abnormality, i.e., "human sensor shutdown," "temperature shutdown," "overvoltage shutdown," "overcurrent shutdown," "undervoltage shutdown," or "abnormal shutdown," the power transmission device 10 transmits information indicating the substrate temperature near the FET of the high-frequency power supply 11 immediately before the shutdown due to the abnormality to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply.
[0169] When the information relating to power supply received from the power transmitting device 10 includes information indicating the substrate temperature in the vicinity of the FET of the high frequency power supply 11, the processing unit 62 stores the information in the storage unit 63 as temperature.
[0170] The substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11 stored as temperature is used to understand the charging state. Furthermore, if the power transmitting device 10 stops due to an abnormality, it is possible to infer how the power transmitting device 10 stopped from the time-varying change in the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11 stored as temperature.
[0171] ac_dc_efficiency This is a value stored in the record of each table, which indicates the power efficiency of direct current power (DC) supplied to the battery unit 30 relative to power (AC) supplied from a commercial power source. This value is calculated by dividing charge_power by ac_adapter_input_power. When storing charge_power and ac_adapter_input_power in the storage unit 63, the processing unit 62 divides charge_power by ac_adapter_input_power and stores the value obtained by the division as ac_dc_efficiency in the storage unit 63. The power efficiency stored as ac_dc_efficiency is used to determine the charging state and system efficiency.
[0172] dc_dc_efficiency The value stored in the record of each table is the power efficiency excluding the AC / DC adapter 42, i.e., a value indicating the power efficiency of the direct current power (DC) supplied to the battery unit 30 relative to the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11. This value is calculated by dividing charge_power by inverter_input_power. When storing charge_power and inverter_input_power in the storage unit 63, the processing unit 62 divides charge_power by inverter_input_power and stores the value obtained by the division as dc_dc_efficiency in the storage unit 63. The power efficiency stored as dc_dc_efficiency is used to determine the state of charge and system efficiency.
[0173] check_sum A value stored in the record of each table, which is a 1-bit checksum value calculated based on all information stored in that record, is stored as chek_sum in storage unit 63. This chek_sum value can be used to check whether the corresponding record has data corruption.
[0174] EventProcessedJstTime This is a value stored in the record of each table, and stores the data processing date and time when the data was processed by the processing unit 62 to calculate the information to be stored in that record.
[0175] EventEnqueuedJstTime The value is stored in the record of each table, and the data reception date and time when the information to be stored in the record was received from the power transmitting device 10 is stored.
[0176] insert_datetime This is a value stored in the record of each table, and stores the date and time when the record was registered in the database constructed in the storage unit 63.
[0177] 4. Operation of the Wireless Module 26 of the Power Receiving Device 20 Next, the operation of the wireless module 26 of the power receiving device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a power receiving side information transmission process executed by the wireless module 26. The power receiving side information transmission process is a process for transmitting power receiving side information, which is information about the power receiving device 20, to the power transmitting device 10 depending on whether or not power is being supplied from the power transmitting device 10. The wireless module 26 repeatedly executes the process using power transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 or power stored in the battery 33.
[0178] When the wireless module 26 starts executing the power receiving side information processing during a period when it is not receiving continuous power transmission from the power transmitting device 10, i.e., during a period when the battery 33 is not being charged, the wireless module 26 first determines whether the power measuring unit 25 has detected a direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b (S1).
[0179] As described above, the power transmitting device 10 operates the high-frequency power supply 11 intermittently even during a period when the power transmitting device 10 is not continuously transmitting power to charge the battery 33 (a period when the high-frequency power supply 11 is off), unless the power transmitting device 10 is in a stopped state due to an abnormality. If the power measuring unit 25 detects a direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b as determined in S1 (S1: Yes), this means that the power receiving device 20 has received high-frequency power (RF) transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 due to the intermittent operation of the high-frequency power supply 11. In other words, this means that the electric kickboard 7 having the power receiving device 20 is stopped at a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10.
[0180] In this case (S1: Yes), wireless module 26 determines whether battery 33 is fully charged (S2). Whether battery 33 is fully charged is determined based on the value of the direct current output from DC / DC converter 24b measured by power measurement unit 25.
[0181] That is, if the direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b is greater than the full charge determination current threshold (e.g., 100 mA), the wireless module 26 determines that the battery 33 is not fully charged (S2: No), transmits the power receiving device ID 27a and power reception information to the power transmitting device 10 (S3), and proceeds to the determination in S5.
[0182] The power reception information is information indicating that the power receiving device 20 has received radio frequency power (RF) transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 by the intermittent operation of the radio frequency power source 11 when the battery 33 is not fully charged. By receiving the power reception information from the power receiving device 20, the power transmitting device 10 determines that the electric kickboard 7, which has a battery 33 that is not fully charged, has stopped at a predetermined position, and enters a "power transmitting" state, thereby continuously supplying power to the power receiving device 20. The power reception information also includes charging power information. That is, the power transmitting device 10 receives, along with the power reception information, information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, measured by the power measuring unit 25.
[0183] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in S2 is that the direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b is equal to or less than the full charge judgment current threshold, it is judged that the battery 33 is in a fully charged state (S2: Yes), and the power receiving device ID 27a and charging completion information are sent to the power transmitting device 10 (S4), and the process returns to S1.
[0184] The charging completion information is information indicating that, when the battery 33 is in a fully charged state, the power receiving device 20 has received high frequency power (RF) transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 by the intermittent operation of the high frequency power source 11. Upon receiving the charging completion information from the power receiving device 20, the power transmitting device 10 determines that the electric kickboard 7 having the fully charged battery 33 has stopped at a predetermined position, and continues the state without supplying power to the power receiving device 20.
[0185] Furthermore, if the result of the judgment in S1 is that the power measurement unit 25 does not detect a direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b (S1: No), this means that the electric kickboard 7 is not stopped at the predetermined position set in the power transmission device 10 and the battery 33 is not being charged, so the processing in S1 is repeated.
[0186] The determination in S5, which is executed following the process in S3, is executed when, as described above, power is continuously supplied from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20. In the determination in S5, the wireless module 26 determines whether the power measuring unit 25 has detected a direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b. As a result, if a direct current output from the DC / DC converter 24b is detected (S5: Yes), this means that the power receiving device 20 has normally received the power transmitted from the power transmitting device 10.
[0187] In this case (S5: Yes), the wireless module 26 transmits the power receiving device ID 27a and the charging power information to the power transmitting device 10 (S6). The charging power information is information indicating the DC power (DC) output from the DC / DC converter 24b measured by the power measuring unit 25, in other words, the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the battery unit 30.
[0188] When the power transmitting device 10 receives the charging power information from the power receiving device 20, it determines whether the battery 33 is fully charged from the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, and if it determines that the battery 33 is fully charged, it stops (turns off) the continuous transmission of radio frequency power (RF). In addition, the power transmitting device 10 transmits the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 to the server 2 as one piece of information related to power supply. Based on this information, the server 2 can calculate the amount of power required to charge the battery 33 and can bill the user.
[0189] After the process of S6, the wireless module 26 waits for a predetermined time (S7) and returns to the determination of S5. Then, as long as the determination of S5 detects that a direct current is being output from the DC / DC converter 24b (S5: Yes), the wireless module 26 repeatedly executes the process of S6 at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the charging power information is transmitted to the power transmitting device 10 together with the power receiving device ID 27a at predetermined time intervals.
[0190] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S5 is that no direct current output is detected from the DC / DC converter 24b (S5: No), this means that charging of the battery 33 has been completed, or that transmission of radio frequency power (RF) from the power transmitting device 10 has stopped (turned off) due to the detection of an abnormality in power supply, or that the electric kickboard 7 has moved from a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10 while charging the battery 33. In this case (S5: No), the process exits the loop of S6 and S7 and returns to the process of S1.
[0191] 5. Operation of the Control Unit 16 of the Power Transmission Device 10 Next, the operation of the control unit 16 of the power transmitting device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a power supply process executed by the control unit 16, and Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a server transmission process executed in the power supply process.
[0192] The power supply process is a process for determining the state of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 and controlling the contactless power supply to the power receiving device 20, based on power transmitting side information input from each unit of the power transmitting device 10 and power receiving side information received from the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7 stopped at a predetermined position set for the power transmitting device 10. The power supply process starts when power (AC) starts to be supplied to the power transmitting device 10 from the commercial power source via the plug 41, and continues to be executed by the control unit 16 without ending as long as the power (AC) continues to be supplied.
[0193] When the control unit 16 starts the execution of the power supply process, it first turns off the output of high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power supply 11, and then sets the status code (denoted as "status" in FIG. 6), which is information indicating the state of contactless power supply, to "1" (waiting for vehicle) as an initial value (S11). The meaning of each state set in the status code is as described above with reference to FIG. 5(b).
[0194] Next, the control unit 16 executes a server transmission process (S12). That is, as shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 16 first determines whether the status code has been updated (S31). As a result, if the status code has been updated (S31: Yes), the control unit 16 updates the status ID (S32) and proceeds to the process of S33. As described above, the status ID is a random number generated by the power transmitting device 10 every time the status code is updated.
[0195] On the other hand, if the status code has not been updated (S31: No), the process of S32 is skipped and the process proceeds to S33.
[0196] In the processing of S33, the control unit 16 transmits information regarding power transmission, including the status code and status ID, together with the power transmission device ID 17a stored in ROM 17 and the power receiving device ID 27a received from the power receiving device 20, to the server 2 via the communication module 50 (S33), and returns to the power supply processing.
[0197] At this time, if the status code included in the information previously transmitted to the server 2 is different from the status code included in the information to be transmitted this time, a new status ID is assigned. On the other hand, if the status code included in the information previously transmitted to the server 2 is the same as the status code included in the information to be transmitted this time, the same status ID as the previous status ID is assigned. As a result, when the status code included in the information previously transmitted and the status code included in the information currently transmitted are the same but different status IDs are assigned, the server 2 can determine that there is a omission in the data transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the server 2.
[0198] The information regarding power supply transmitted to the server 2 by the processing of S33 differs depending on the step in the power supply processing in which the server transmission processing is executed. In the server transmission processing of S12, only the status code (waiting for vehicle) and the status ID are transmitted as information regarding power supply.
[0199] Returning to FIG. 7, the description will continue. After the server transmission process of S12, the control unit 16 causes the high frequency power supply 11 to operate intermittently (S13). Here, the intermittent operation of the high frequency power supply 11 refers to an operation in which the high frequency power supply 11 is turned on for a predetermined period at predetermined time intervals, and high frequency power (RF) is output from the high frequency power supply 11. For example, in the process of S13, high frequency power (RF) is output from the high frequency power supply 11 for only 0.5 seconds every 2.5 seconds. Note that the intermittent operation of the high frequency power supply 11 by the process of S13 is one operating mode when the high frequency power supply 11 is in an off state, and is performed to determine whether the electric kickboard 7 has stopped at a predetermined position set in the power transmission device 10.
[0200] That is, after causing the high frequency power source 11 to output high frequency power (RF) in the process of S13, the control unit determines whether power reception information has been received from the power receiving device 20 by the wireless module 15 (S14). The power reception information is information that is transmitted to the power transmitting device 10 when the power receiving device 20 receives high frequency power (RF) from the power transmitting device 10 while the power receiving device 20 is in a charging standby state.
[0201] If it is determined in S14 that power reception information has not been received (S14: No), the control unit 16 can determine that the electric kickboard 7 is not stopped at the specified position set in the power transmission device 10, and therefore returns to processing S13.
[0202] On the other hand, if it is determined in S14 that power reception information has been received (S14: Yes), this means that an electric kickboard 7 has newly stopped at a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10. Then, the control unit 16 turns on the high frequency power supply 11 to output high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power supply 11, and sets the status code to "2" (power transmission in progress). As a result, the power transmitting device 10 supplies high frequency power (RF) to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7 stopped at the corresponding predetermined position, and charges the battery 33 of the electric kickboard 7.
[0203] 8 (S16). In the server transmission process of S16, the following information is transmitted as information related to power supply: a status code (power transmission in progress), a status ID, the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the radio frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11, and the reception intensity when the power reception information was received. The DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 are acquired from the charging power information included in the power reception information.
[0204] Next, the control unit 16 determines whether the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 is outside a predetermined range (S17). If the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) is outside the predetermined range (for example, -45° to 45°), this means that the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high-frequency power source 11 toward the load side (battery 33 side) is large, resulting in the generation of a large amount of reactive power. Therefore, in this case, highly efficient contactless power supply is hindered.
[0205] Furthermore, when the high-frequency power supply 11 is configured by an inverter having a passive circuit as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 4, if the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high-frequency power supply 11 toward the load side (battery 33 side) falls outside a predetermined range, the output from the inverter (high-frequency power supply 11) will deviate from the constant voltage or constant current, making it impossible to perform stable charging operation.
[0206] In the contactless power supply system 1, in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, impedance matching is performed by the matching circuit 13 of the power transmitting device 10 and the matching circuit 23 of the power receiving device 20 so that the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high-frequency power source 11 toward the load side (battery 33 side) falls within a predetermined range (-α to +α).
[0207] In other words, if the phase of the input impedance is outside a predetermined range, this means that an abnormality has occurred in the power transmitting device 10, between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20, the power receiving device 20, or the battery unit 30. This abnormality includes not only abnormalities in the equipment or circuits, such as a broken wire, but also abnormalities such as the electric scooter 7 falling over or being moved by a person and moving out of its predetermined position.
[0208] The predetermined range is determined based on the amount of energy loss that can be tolerated in the inverter (FET) that constitutes the high-frequency power supply 11. For example, the predetermined range may be set to -45° to 45° (α=45° above). In this case, even if there is some fluctuation in the phase of the input impedance when viewed from the high-frequency power supply 11 toward the load side (battery 33 side), the amount of energy loss in the inverter (FET) can be kept low. The predetermined range may also be set to -90° to 90° (α=90° above). In this case, although the amount of energy loss in the inverter (FET) may increase slightly, it is possible to continue wireless power supply (charging of the battery 33) by allowing the stopping position of the electric kickboard 7 to deviate slightly from the predetermined range.
[0209] The above α, which defines the predetermined range, may be set, for example, within the range of 20° to 90°, preferably within the range of 30° to 80°, and more preferably within the range of 40° to 70°.
[0210] If the control unit 16 determines in S17 that the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 is outside a predetermined range (S17: Yes), it determines that some abnormality has occurred in the contactless power supply from the above and proceeds to processing in S18, where it turns off the output of high-frequency power (RF) from the high-frequency power supply 11. This stops power supply to the power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7). Furthermore, in processing in S18, the control unit 16 sets the status code to "9" (abnormal stop).
[0211] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in S17 is that the phase difference between the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency power (RF) detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 is determined to be within a predetermined range (S17: No), then the control unit 16 determines whether any other abnormalities have occurred (S19).
[0212] For example, when a human presence sensor (not shown) provided in the power transmitting device 10 detects the presence of a person in a predetermined area including the power transmitting device 10, the control unit 16 determines that a human presence abnormality has occurred. The determination of a human presence abnormality is performed to prevent electromagnetic waves generated by the transmission of radio frequency power (RF) between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 from affecting the human body. Note that the human presence sensor may be a widely known, general infrared human presence sensor (which detects infrared rays emitted from people), or may be one that inputs images captured by a camera into an artificial intelligence (AI) learning model and determines the presence of a person from the output of the learning model. Note that when the control unit 16 determines that a human presence abnormality has occurred, the control unit 16 may issue a warning sound or the like to a person who has entered the predetermined area to urge the person to move away from the power transmitting device 10.
[0213] Furthermore, the control unit 16 acquires the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11 from the high frequency power supply 11 and determines whether an abnormality exists based on the value of the substrate temperature. That is, if the substrate temperature near the FET is equal to or higher than a high temperature determination threshold (for example, 100°C), it is determined that some abnormality has caused an increase in energy loss in the FET, and a temperature abnormality has occurred.
[0214] Furthermore, the control unit 16 acquires information indicating the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11 from the high frequency power supply 11, and determines an abnormality based on the values of the DC voltage and DC current. For example, if the DC voltage input to the high frequency power supply 11 is equal to or greater than an overvoltage determination threshold (e.g., 56 V), it is determined to be an overvoltage abnormality, and if the DC voltage is equal to or less than an undervoltage determination threshold (e.g., 22 V), it is determined to be an undervoltage abnormality. Furthermore, if the DC current input to the high frequency power supply 11 is equal to or greater than an overcurrent determination threshold (e.g., 2.1 A), it is determined to be an overcurrent abnormality.
[0215] If the control unit 16 determines in S19 that an abnormality has occurred (S19: Yes), it proceeds to the process of S18, turns off the output of high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power supply 11 to stop power supply to the power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7), and updates the status code according to the nature of the abnormality. That is, if there is a human detection abnormality, the status code is updated to "4" (human detection stop), if there is a temperature abnormality, the status code is updated to "5" (temperature stop), if there is an overvoltage abnormality, the status code is updated to "6" (overvoltage stop), if there is an overcurrent abnormality, the status code is updated to "7" (overcurrent stop), and if there is an undervoltage abnormality, the status code is updated to "8" (undervoltage stop).
[0216] When the control unit 16 determines in step S19 that there is a human detection abnormality and proceeds to step S18, the control unit 16 sets a 5-second timer to measure 5 seconds in step S18. This 5-second timer is used to determine whether the abnormality has been resolved in step S21.
[0217] Following the process of S18, the control unit 16 executes a server transmission process shown in FIG. 8 (S20). In the server transmission process of S20, the following information related to power supply is transmitted: the status code and status ID updated in the process of S18; the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 immediately before the high frequency power supply 11 is turned off; the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11; the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11; the substrate temperature value near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11; and the reception intensity when the power reception information is received. The server 2 determines the occurrence of an abnormality based on this information, and if an abnormality is detected, can notify the administrator's client terminal 4 of the occurrence of the abnormality together with information identifying the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7) where the abnormality occurred. This allows the administrator to quickly and appropriately respond to the occurrence of the abnormality.
[0218] Following the process of S20, control unit 16 determines whether the abnormality indicated by the status code has been resolved (S21). For example, if the status code is "temperature stop," control unit 16 determines whether the substrate temperature near the FET input from high frequency power supply 11 has fallen below a temperature resolution threshold (e.g., 66°C), and if the substrate temperature is below the temperature resolution threshold, it determines that the abnormality has been resolved. If the status code is "overvoltage stop," control unit 16 determines whether the DC voltage input to high frequency power supply 11 has fallen below an overvoltage resolution threshold (e.g., 45V), and if the DC voltage is below the overvoltage resolution threshold, it determines that the abnormality has been resolved.
[0219] If the status code is "overcurrent stop", it is determined whether the DC current input to the high frequency power supply 11 is equal to or less than the overcurrent resolution threshold (e.g., 1.9 A), and if the DC current is equal to or less than the overcurrent resolution threshold, it is determined that the abnormality has been resolved.If the status code is "undervoltage stop", it is determined whether the DC voltage input to the high frequency power supply 11 is equal to or greater than the undervoltage resolution threshold (e.g., 29 V), and if the DC voltage is equal to or greater than the undervoltage resolution threshold, it is determined that the abnormality has been resolved.
[0220] If the status code is "motion detection stopped," it is determined whether the 5-second timer set in the processing of S18 has timed out (5 seconds have passed), and if the 5-second timer has timed out (5 seconds have passed), it is determined that a person has left during those 5 seconds and the abnormality has been resolved. Note that it may also be determined that the abnormality has been resolved after determining that there is no person in a specified area based on the output of the motion sensor.
[0221] Furthermore, if the status code is "abnormal stop," the control unit 16 turns on the high-frequency power supply 11 at predetermined time intervals, and when high-frequency power (RF) is output from the high-frequency power supply 11, if the phase difference detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 is within a predetermined range, it is determined that the abnormality has been resolved.
[0222] If the control unit 16 determines in step S21 that the abnormality has not been resolved (S21: No), it repeats the determination in step S21. If the control unit 16 determines in step S21 that the abnormality has been resolved (S21: Yes), it proceeds to the process of step S11.
[0223] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in S19 is that there is no abnormality (S19: No), then the control unit 16 judges whether the wireless module 15 has received the charging power information transmitted from the power receiving device 20 at predetermined time intervals (S22).
[0224] As a result of the determination in S22, if charging power information has not been received (S22: No), the process returns to the determination in S17. On the other hand, if charging power information has been received (S22: Yes), the control unit 16 executes the server transmission process shown in FIG. 8 (S23). In the server transmission process in S23, the following information is transmitted as information related to power supply: a status code (power transmission in progress), a status ID, the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, the DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the phase difference between the high frequency current and the high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11, and the reception intensity when the power reception information was received. That is, each time charging power information is received from the power receiving device 20, this information related to power supply is transmitted to the server 2. The DC voltage and DC current values of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30 are acquired from the charging power information received in the process of S22.
[0225] Next, the control unit 16 determines whether the battery 33 is fully charged and charging is complete (S24). Here, the control unit 16 determines that the battery 33 is fully charged when either the DC voltage or the DC current supplied to the battery unit 30, which is included in the charging power information, satisfies the following conditions:
[0226] That is, when the DC voltage supplied to the battery unit 30 is equal to or greater than a full charge determination voltage threshold (e.g., 42 V), the control unit 16 determines that the battery 33 is fully charged. Also, when the DC current supplied to the battery unit 30 is equal to or less than a full charge determination current threshold (e.g., 100 mA), the control unit 16 determines that the battery 33 is fully charged.
[0227] If the result of the determination in S24 is that the battery 33 is not fully charged (S24: No), the control unit 16 returns to the determination in S17. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S24 is that the battery 33 is fully charged and charging is complete (S24: Yes), the control unit 16 turns off the output of radio frequency power (RF) from the radio frequency power supply 11 to stop power supply to the power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7), and sets the status code to "3" (charging complete) (S25). By stopping power supply to the power receiving device 20, charging of the battery 33 is completed.
[0228] Next, the control unit 16 executes a server transmission process shown in Fig. 8 (S26). In the server transmission process of S26, only the status code (charging completed) and the status ID are transmitted to the server 2 as information related to power supply.
[0229] Next, the control unit 16 causes the high frequency power supply 11 to operate intermittently in the same manner as in the process of S2 (S27) in order to determine whether the electric kickboard 7, for which charging has been completed, has moved from a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10. Note that the intermittent operation of the high frequency power supply 11 in the process of S27 is also one operating mode when the high frequency power supply 11 is in the off state.
[0230] After causing the high frequency power source 11 to output high frequency power (RF) in the process of S27, the control unit 16 determines whether charging completion information has been received by the wireless module 15 from the power receiving device 20 (S28). If the result of the determination in S13 is that charging completion information has been received (S13: Yes), it can be determined that the electric kickboard 7 remains stopped with the fully charged battery 33 at the predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10, and the control unit 16 returns to the process of S27.
[0231] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S27 is that charging completion information has not been received (S13: No), then the control unit 16 determines whether power reception information has been received by the wireless module 15 from the power receiving device 20 (S29). If the result of the determination in S29 is that power reception information has been received (S29: Yes), it can be determined that for some reason the battery 33 was not fully charged at the predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10, or that the charging rate of the battery 33 has decreased. Therefore, the control unit 16 returns to the process of S15. As a result, continuous power supply from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 is resumed.
[0232] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S29 is that the power reception information has not been received either (S29: Yes), this means that the electric kickboard 7 has moved from the predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10. Then, the control unit 16 returns to S11, sets the status code to "waiting for vehicle," and waits until the electric kickboard 7 stops at a new predetermined position.
[0233] <6. Effects> The above-described contactless power supply system 1, the power transmitting device 10, the power receiving device 20, the electric kickboard 7 having the power receiving device 20, and the server 2 that constitute this contactless power supply system 1, provide the following effects.
[0234] (1) In the contactless power supply system 1, a power receiving device 20 is provided for each of a plurality of electric kick scooters 7. A plurality of power transmitting devices 10 are also provided, and when one electric kick scooter 7 stops at a predetermined position corresponding to one power transmitting device 10, contactless power supply is executed in which radio frequency power (RF) is transmitted contactlessly from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kick scooter 7. The battery 33 of one electric kick scooter 7 is charged by this contactless power supply.
[0235] Here, a server 2 provided in the cloud 3 manages contactless power supply executed between each of the multiple power transmission devices 10 and each of the power receiving devices 20 provided on the multiple electric kick scooters 7. When an electric kick scooter 7 stops at a predetermined position corresponding to a single power transmission device 10, the server 2 receives, via a communication module 50, a power receiving device ID 27a that is unique information assigned to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kick scooter 7, a power transmission device ID 17a that is unique information assigned to the single power transmission device 10, and information related to power supply from the single power transmission device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of the electric kick scooter 7.
[0236] As a result, the administrator can easily understand which power receiving device 20 (electric kickboard 7) and power transmitting device 10 are performing contactless power feeding, and can also easily understand information regarding contactless power feeding between them, from the power receiving device ID 27a, the power transmitting device ID 17a, and information regarding power feeding transmitted to the server 2. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power feeding between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, the administrator can easily understand the power feeding information regarding those power feeds.
[0237] (2) In the server 2, the server receiving unit 61 receives information transmitted from the communication module 50 of the power transmitting device 10, i.e., the power receiving device ID 27a assigned to the power receiving device 20 to be contactlessly fed with power, the power transmitting device ID 17a assigned to the power transmitting device 10, and information related to power feeding performed between them. The information received by the server receiving unit 61 and information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the information by the processing unit 62 are stored in the storage unit 63. Information based on the information stored in the storage unit 63 is output from the server 2 by the server output unit 64. As a result, even if the number of power transmitting devices 10 and electric kickboards 7 having power receiving devices 20 increases, it is possible to easily determine which power receiving devices 20 (electric kickboards 7) and power transmitting devices 10 are receiving contactless power feeding and information related to the contactless power feeding between them, simply by accessing the server 2.
[0238] (3) In the server 2, the abnormality determination unit 62a determines whether there is an abnormality in contactless power feeding from one power transmitting device 10 to one power receiving device 20, based on information received by the server receiving unit 61 and / or information stored in the storage unit 63, for example, a status code. When the abnormality determination unit 62a determines that there is an abnormality in contactless power feeding, the server output unit 64 outputs information for identifying the one power transmitting device 10 and one power receiving device 20 (the electric kickboard 7 having the power receiving device 20) for which the abnormality in contactless power feeding has been determined, based on the power receiving device ID 27a and the power transmitting device ID 17a associated with the information on which the abnormality has been determined. As a result, when an abnormality in contactless power feeding occurs, the administrator or the like can easily identify the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 (the electric kickboard 7) for which the abnormality has occurred, and can take immediate action.
[0239] (4) Information regarding the management of contactless power supply is sent from the server 2 located in the cloud 3 to the client terminal 4, so that the administrator and the user of the electric kickboard 7 can easily grasp the information regarding the management of contactless power supply from the client terminal 4.
[0240] (5) As information related to power supply, at least power amount information, which is information that can be used to determine the amount of power required to charge the battery 33, is transmitted to the server 2 by the communication module 50 together with the power receiving device ID 27a and the power transmitting device ID 17a. This makes it possible to easily determine the amount of power required for charging in the case of contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to one power receiving device 20 of one mobile object, even if the combination of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time. Furthermore, this amount of power can be used to establish a billing system for those who receive power supply (those who own the electric scooter 7 or those who rent and use the electric scooter 7).
[0241] (6) In the power transmitting device 10, the AC power supplied from a commercial power source is converted into direct current power (DC) by the AC / DC adapter 42, and the DC power is then converted into radio frequency power (RF) by the radio frequency power source 11. At least information related to the DC power (DC) input to the radio frequency power source 11 is transmitted as power amount information to the server 2 by the communication module 50. This makes it easy to understand the amount of DC power used to generate radio frequency power (RF) for contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric scooter 7. Furthermore, the amount of DC power used to generate the radio frequency power (RF) can be used to establish a billing system for recipients of power supply (owners of the electric scooter 7 or those who rent and use the electric scooter 7).
[0242] (7) In the power receiving device 20, the radio frequency power (RF) received contactlessly from the power transmitting device 10 is converted by the conversion circuit 24 into direct current power (DC) suitable for charging the battery 33. Then, at least information related to the direct current power (DC) supplied from the conversion circuit 24 to the battery unit 30 is transmitted as power amount information to the server 2 by the communication module 50. This makes it easy to know the amount of direct current power (DC) that charged the battery 33 in contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric scooter 7. Furthermore, the amount of direct current power (DC) that charged the battery 33 can be used to establish a billing system for recipients of power supply (those who own the electric scooter 7 or those who rent and use the electric scooter 7) based on the amount of DC power (DC) that charged the battery 33.
[0243] (8) As information related to power supply, at least power supply state information that can be used to grasp the power supply state is transmitted to the server 2 by the communication module 50 together with the power receiving device ID 27a and the power transmitting device ID 17a. As a result, even if the combination of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, the power supply state of each contactless power supply can be easily grasped.
[0244] (9) In the power transmitting device 10, radio frequency power (RF) is generated and output by the radio frequency power supply 11. The output of radio frequency power (RF) from the radio frequency power supply 11 is controlled to be on or off by the control unit 16. A status code, which is information indicating at least whether the output of radio frequency power (RF) is on or off, is transmitted as power supply status information from the communication module 50 to the server 2. This makes it easy to know from the status code whether contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7 is being executed or not.
[0245] (10) In the power transmitting device 10, the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current of the high-frequency power (RF) output from the high-frequency power supply 11 is detected by the RF phase detection unit 12. If this phase difference is not within a predetermined range, the output of the high-frequency power (RF) from the high-frequency power supply 11 is turned off by the control unit 16. As a result, if the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and the high-frequency current is within the predetermined range, it can be assumed that contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7 is being performed without any problems. However, if the phase difference is not within the predetermined range, it is possible that an abnormality has occurred in the contactless power supply, and the output of the high-frequency power (RF) from the high-frequency power supply 11 can be turned off to stop contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7. In addition, a status code indicating that the output of high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power source 11 has been turned off is sent to the server 2, so it is easy to understand that the output of high frequency power (RF) from the high frequency power source 11 has been turned off for contactless power supply from one power transmission device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7.
[0246] (11) In the power receiving device 20, the DC voltage and DC current supplied to the battery unit 30 are measured by the power measuring unit 25. Information based on the DC voltage and DC current supplied to the battery unit 30 measured by this power measuring unit 25 is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless module 26 to the power transmitting device 10. In the power transmitting device 10, the information based on the DC voltage and DC current supplied to the battery unit 30 transmitted by the wireless module 26 is received by the wireless module 15. Then, in the power transmitting device 10, the charging status of the battery 33 is determined based on the received information based on the DC voltage and DC current supplied to the battery unit 30, and the control unit 16 controls the on / off of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11. As a result, if the charging state of the battery 33 indicates that power supply to the battery 33 is necessary, the power transmitting device 10 turns on the output of radio frequency power (RF) to wirelessly supply power to the power receiving device 20, and if the charging state of the battery 33 indicates that power supply to the battery 33 is not necessary, the power transmitting device 10 turns off the output of radio frequency power (RF) to stop wirelessly supplying power to the power receiving device 20. Furthermore, a status code indicating that the output of radio frequency power (RF) from the radio frequency power source 11 has been turned on or off based on the charging state of the battery 33 is transmitted to the server 2, so that it can be easily known that the output of radio frequency power (RF) from the radio frequency power source 11 has been turned on or off based on the charging state of the battery 33 for wirelessly supplying power from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one mobile object.
[0247] (12) In the power transmitting device 10, radio frequency power (RF) is generated and output by the radio frequency power supply 11. The phase difference between the radio frequency voltage and radio frequency current of the radio frequency power (RF) is detected by the RF phase detection unit 12. Then, information indicating at least the phase difference between the radio frequency voltage and radio frequency current detected by the RF phase detection unit 12 is transmitted as power supply status information from the communication module 50 to the server 2. This makes it easy to grasp the phase difference between the radio frequency voltage and radio frequency current of the radio frequency power output from the radio frequency power supply 11. If a power supply abnormality occurs between one power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7, the cause of the abnormality can be determined from the phase difference.
[0248] (13) The wireless module 26 provided in the power receiving device 20 wirelessly transmits power receiving side information including at least the power receiving device ID 27a to the power transmitting device 10. The transmitted power receiving side information is received by the wireless module 15 provided in the power transmitting device 10. As a result, the power transmitting device 10 can transmit information related to power feeding, including not only the power transmitting device ID 17a but also the power receiving device ID 27a received from the power receiving device 20, from the communication module 50 provided in the power transmitting device 10 to the server 2. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power feeding between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, it is possible to easily grasp power feeding information related to power feeding, including the combination of the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 to which contactless power feeding is performed.
[0249] (14) In the contactless power supply system 1, high-frequency power is transmitted contactlessly from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 by an electric field coupling method. In such a contactless power supply system 1, even if the combination of contactless power supply between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, the power supply information related to the power supply can be easily grasped.
[0250] <7. Variations> Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, it is readily apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, each of the embodiments, including the modifications described below, may be modified by adding or replacing a part or parts of the configuration of another embodiment with the other embodiment. Furthermore, the numerical values given in the above embodiments are merely examples, and other numerical values may of course be adopted.
[0251] In the above embodiment, the information related to power supply transmitted to the server 2 includes, for example, a status code, a status ID, the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, the values of the DC voltage and DC current of the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the phase difference between the high frequency current and high frequency voltage of the high frequency power (RF) output from the high frequency power supply 11, the value of the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11, and the reception intensity when the power reception information is received, but is not limited to these, and the information related to power supply may be selected according to the management contents of the server 2. Furthermore, information other than the above information may be included in the information related to power supply and transmitted to the server 2.
[0252] For example, in the above embodiment, the processing unit 62 of the server 2 calculates the value of the power (AC) supplied from the commercial power source and input to the AC / DC adapter 42 from the direct current power (DC) input to the high frequency power supply 11. However, the AC / DC adapter 42 may be provided with a measuring unit that measures the power (AC) supplied from the commercial power source, and the value of the power (AC) supplied from the commercial power source measured by the measuring unit may be included in the information related to the power supply as power amount information and transmitted to the server 2. This allows the server 2 to easily grasp the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source for contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric scooter 7. Furthermore, the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source can be used to establish a billing system for recipients of power supply (owners of the electric scooter 7 or those who rent and use the electric scooter 7).
[0253] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the power measuring unit 25 of the power receiving device 20 measures the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, wirelessly transmits the measured values to the power transmitting device 10, and then transmits them to the server 2 as information related to power supply. However, instead of or in addition to the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) input to the battery unit 30, the power measuring unit 25 may measure the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) output from the BMS 27 and input to the battery 33, and wirelessly transmits the measured values to the power transmitting device 10 and then transmits them to the server 2 as information related to power supply. In this way, the server 2 can determine the amount of power directly required to charge the battery 33, excluding losses in the BMS 32, for contactless power supply from one power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 of one electric kickboard 7, by using the DC voltage and DC current values of the DC power (DC) used to charge the battery 33. The amount of electricity directly required to charge the battery 33 can then be used to establish a charging system for those who receive the power supply (those who own the electric kickboard 7 or those who rent and use the electric kickboard 7).
[0254] In the above embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 62a of the server 2 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the power supply from a status code among the information related to the power supply received from the power transmitting device 10. However, the abnormality determination unit 62a may determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the power supply in more detail from information related to the power supply other than the status code. For example, the degree of the abnormality may be determined or the cause of the abnormality may be estimated from the value of the phase difference between the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current of the high-frequency power (RF) output by the high-frequency power supply 11, which is included in the information related to the power supply.
[0255] Furthermore, the abnormality determination unit 62a may determine whether the substrate temperature near the FET of the high frequency power supply 11, which is included in the information about the power supply, is equal to or higher than a high temperature determination threshold (for example, 100°C), and may determine the degree of the temperature abnormality or estimate the cause of the temperature abnormality from the substrate temperature. In this way, the server 2 can determine the occurrence of an abnormality in more detail by using information about the power supply other than the status code.
[0256] Furthermore, the abnormality determination unit 62a may be constructed using a learning model of artificial intelligence (AI). That is, the learning model may be trained in advance on information about power supply, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the power supply state indicated by the information about power supply, and the type of abnormality, and the information about power supply received by the server receiving unit 61 may be input to the learning model to determine the probability of the occurrence of the abnormality for each type of abnormality. This makes it possible to make a more detailed determination of the occurrence of an abnormality using various pieces of information about power supply.
[0257] In the above embodiment, the determination of whether the electric kickboard 7 has stopped at a predetermined position set in the power transmitting device 10 is performed by the power transmitting device 10 intermittently operating the high-frequency power supply 11 to output high-frequency power (RF) for a short period at predetermined time intervals. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the wireless module 15 of the power transmitting device 10 may transmit a connection request signal at predetermined time intervals, and the wireless module 26 of the power receiving device 20 of the electric kickboard 7 stopped at the predetermined position may transmit a response signal in response to the connection request signal, and the power transmitting device 10 may determine that the electric kickboard 7 has stopped at the predetermined position upon receiving the response signal. Alternatively, a camera capable of capturing an image of the predetermined position of the power transmitting device 10 may be installed, and the power transmitting device 10 may determine whether the electric kickboard 7 has stopped at the predetermined position from an image captured by the camera.
[0258] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a unique power receiving device ID 27a is assigned to each power receiving device 20, and this power receiving device ID 27a is transmitted to the server 2 together with the power transmitting device ID 17a and information related to power supply. However, instead of this power receiving device ID 27a, an electric kickboard ID may be transmitted to the server 2 together with the power transmitting device ID 17a and information related to power supply. The electric kickboard ID is unique information assigned to each electric kickboard 7. By transmitting the electric kickboard ID together with the power transmitting device ID 17a and information related to power supply to the server 2, the server 2 can identify which power transmitting device 10 supplied power to which power receiving device 20 of which electric kickboard 7.
[0259] In the above embodiment, the wireless module 26 is provided in the power receiving device 20, but the wireless module 26 may also be provided in the electric kickboard 7.
[0260] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the wireless module 26 of the power receiving device 20 transmits power receiving side information including the power receiving device ID 27a to the power transmitting device 10, and the power receiving side information including the power receiving device ID 27a received by the wireless module 15 of the power transmitting device 10 is transmitted together with the power transmitting side information including the power transmitting device ID 17a from the communication module 50 of the power transmitting device 10 to the server 2. Alternatively, the communication module 50 may be provided in the power receiving device 20, and the power transmitting side information including the power transmitting device ID 17a may be transmitted from the wireless module 15 of the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20, and the power transmitting side information including the power transmitting device ID 17a received by the wireless module 26 of the power receiving device 20 may be transmitted together with the power transmitting side information including the power receiving device ID 27a (or the electric kick scooter ID) from the communication module 50 of the power receiving device 20 to the server 2. The communication module 50 may also be provided in the electric kick scooter 7. As a result, the power receiving device 20 or the electric kickboard 7 can transmit information related to power feeding, including not only the power receiving device ID 27a (or electric kickboard ID) but also the power transmitting device ID 17a received from the power transmitting device 10, to the server 2 from the communication module 50 provided in the power receiving device 20 or the electric kickboard 7. Therefore, even if the combination of contactless power feeding between the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 changes from time to time, it is possible to easily grasp power feeding information related to power feeding, including the combination of the power transmitting device 10 and the power receiving device 20 to which contactless power feeding is performed. [Explanation of symbols]
[0261] 1. Contactless power supply system 2 Server 3. Cloud 4. Client terminal 7. Electric kick scooter 10 Power transmission equipment 11 High frequency power supply 12 RF phase detector 15 Wireless Module 16 Control Unit 17a Power transmission device ID 20 Power receiving device 24 Conversion circuit 24a rectifier circuit 24b DC / DC Converter 25 Power measurement section 26 Wireless Module 27a Powered Device ID 30 Battery Unit 33 Battery 42 AC / DC adapter 50 Communication Module 61 Server receiving unit 62 Processing section 62a Abnormality judgment unit 62b Electricity Charge Calculation Section 63 Storage section 64 Server Output Section
Claims
1. a power receiving device provided in each of the plurality of mobile objects, the power receiving device receiving power for charging a storage battery of the corresponding mobile object; a plurality of power transmitting devices that transmit high-frequency power to the power receiving devices in a non-contact manner; A wireless power supply system that performs wireless power supply by transmitting high-frequency power from a power transmission device to a power receiving device of a moving object when the moving object stops at a predetermined position corresponding to the power transmission device, a server that is provided on a network and that manages the wireless power supply that is performed between each of the plurality of power transmitting devices and each of the plurality of power receiving devices that are provided in the plurality of mobile objects; A contactless power supply system characterized by comprising: a transmitting device that, when the one moving body stops at the specified position, transmits to the server first unique information, which is unique information assigned to the one moving body or the moving body's power receiving device, second unique information, which is unique information assigned to the one power transmitting device, and information regarding power supply from the one power transmitting device to the one moving body's power receiving device.
2. The server a server receiving unit that receives information transmitted from the transmitting device; a storage unit that stores the information received by the server receiving unit and / or information that has undergone predetermined processing; The contactless power supply system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a server output unit that outputs information based on the information stored in the storage unit.
3. The server an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in contactless power feeding from one power transmitting device to one power receiving device based on information received by the server receiving unit and / or information stored in the storage unit; The wireless power supply system of claim 2, characterized in that when the abnormality judgment unit judges that there is an abnormality in the wireless power supply, the server output unit outputs information for identifying the one power transmitting device in which the abnormality in the wireless power supply has been judged and the one power receiving device or a mobile body having the one power receiving device, based on the first unique information and the second unique information associated with the information on which the abnormality has been judged.
4. 2. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the server exists in a cloud and is configured to be able to transmit information relating to management of the contactless power supply to a client terminal.
5. 2. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device transmits to the server, as information regarding the power supply, at least power amount information that can be used to determine the amount of power required for the charging.
6. the power transmission device generates the high-frequency power using power supplied from a commercial power source; 6. The contactless power supply system according to claim 5, wherein the transmission device transmits the power amount information to the server, the power amount information including at least information related to the power supplied from the commercial power source to the power transmission device.
7. The power transmission device is an AC / DC adapter that converts power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power; a high-frequency power supply that converts the DC power converted by the AC / DC adapter into high-frequency power, 6. The contactless power supply system according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting device transmits the power amount information to the server, the power amount information including at least information related to the DC power input to the high frequency power supply.
8. The power receiving device is a conversion circuit that converts the high-frequency power received from the power transmission device into power suitable for charging the storage battery; 6. The contactless power supply system according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting device transmits the power amount information to the server, the power amount information including at least information related to the power supplied from the conversion circuit to the storage battery.
9. 2. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device transmits to the server, as information about the power supply, at least power supply status information that can be used to grasp a power supply status.
10. The power transmission device is a high frequency power source that generates and outputs the high frequency power; a control unit that turns on or off the output of the high frequency power from the high frequency power supply, 10. The contactless power supply system according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting device transmits to the server, as the power supply state information, at least information indicating whether the output of the high frequency power is on or off.
11. The power transmission device is a phase detection unit that detects a phase difference between a high-frequency voltage and a high-frequency current of the high-frequency power output from the high-frequency power source, 11. The wireless power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit turns off the output of the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power supply when the phase difference detected by the phase detection unit is not within a predetermined range.
12. The power receiving device is a power measurement unit that measures the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery; a power receiving-side wireless communication unit for wirelessly transmitting to the power transmitting device information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery measured by the power measuring unit, The power transmission device is a power transmission-side wireless communication unit that receives information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery and that is transmitted by the power reception-side wireless communication unit; 11. The wireless power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls on and off of the output of the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power source based on information based on the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery received by the power transmission side wireless communication unit.
13. The power transmission device is a high frequency power source that generates and outputs the high frequency power; a phase detection unit that detects a phase difference between a high frequency voltage and a high frequency current of the high frequency power output from the high frequency power source, 10. The contactless power supply system according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting device transmits the power supply state information to the server, the power supply state information including at least information indicating the phase difference detected by the phase detection unit.
14. a power receiving side wireless communication unit provided in the power receiving device or the mobile body and configured to wirelessly transmit power receiving side information including at least the first unique information to the power transmitting device; a power transmitting-side wireless communication unit provided in the power transmitting device and receiving the power receiving-side information transmitted by the power receiving-side wireless communication unit, The contactless power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission device is provided in the power transmission device.
15. a power transmitting side wireless communication unit provided in the power transmitting device and configured to wirelessly transmit power transmitting side information including at least the second unique information to the mobile object; a power receiving-side wireless communication unit provided in the power receiving device or the mobile body, the power receiving-side wireless communication unit receiving the power transmitting-side information transmitted by the power transmitting-side wireless communication unit; The contactless power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting device is provided in the power receiving device or the mobile object.
16. 2. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power transmitting device transmits the high-frequency power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner using an electric field coupling method.
17. A power transmitting device used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
18. A power receiving device used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
19. A mobile object comprising the power receiving device according to claim 18.
20. A server used in the contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
Citation Information
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